Donor Comparison Table
Quick-reference guide comparing all major donor frameworks.
This table provides a quick-reference comparison of the major donor reporting frameworks. For full details, refer to the individual donor guides.
Reporting Burden Comparison
| Dimension | UNHCR | DG ECHO | USAID | Global Fund | GCF | FCDO | EU (INTPA) | Gates Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting frequency | Quarterly or semi-annual | 6-monthly | Quarterly | Quarterly (PUDR) | Annual | Annual review | Periodic (per agreement) | Annual |
| Report format prescribed | Yes — UNHCR template | Yes — DG ECHO template | Yes — QPR format | Yes — PUDR template | Yes — APR template | Yes — Annual Review format | Yes — mandatory sections | Semi-prescriptive |
| Indicator standards | UNHCR results framework | RBM approach | ADS / Standard indicators | Global Fund core indicators | GCF RMF core indicators | FCDO logframe | 12 mandatory + custom | Milestone-based |
| Mandatory disaggregation | Sex, age, diversity | Sex, age, location | Sex, age, location, disability | Sex, age, KP type | Sex, age, location | Sex, age, disability, location | Sex, age, location | Varies |
| Financial format prescribed | UNHCR budget format | DG ECHO cost classification | SF-425, FFR | Global Fund budget | GCF budget | FCDO budget format | EU cost categories | Foundation format |
| Safeguarding section required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gender section required | Yes (AGD) | Yes (gender marker) | Yes (GEWE policy) | Yes (Gender Strategy) | Yes (GAP) | Yes (Gender Equality Act) | Yes (HRBA + gender) | Yes (foundation policy) |
| Environment section required | No (implicit) | Yes | Yes (IEE status) | No | Yes (ESS mandatory) | Yes (climate screen) | Yes (SEA screening) | Varies |
| Lessons learned required | Yes | Yes | Yes (CLA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Strongly expected |
| Indicator table in narrative | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (12 mandatory) | Milestones only |
| Mid-term review | Yes | Yes | Yes (AER) | Yes (periodic) | Yes (MTR) | Yes (mid-term) | Yes (external) | Varies |
Financial Thresholds
| Donor | Audit Certificate Required | Cost Share Required | Indirect Cost Cap | Subrecipient threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNHCR | Above $300K | Usually 10–20% | 7–10% (varies) | Above $100K — FPA required |
| DG ECHO | Above €750K | 5–15% | 7% | Above €150K |
| USAID | Above $750K | Usually 10–25% | NICRA rate | Above $100K — need prior approval |
| Global Fund | Above $300K | Varies | 7–13% | Above $100K — PR responsible |
| GCF | Above $300K | Yes (co-financing) | 7% | Above $100K — ESS screening |
| FCDO | Above £250K | Varies | 7–10% | Above £250K — competitive tender |
| EU (INTPA) | Above €750K | Varies (10–15% typical) | 7% | Above €10K — tender rules apply |
| Gates Foundation | Above $500K | Not typically | Negotiated | Varies |
Donor-Specific Language Reference
| Term | All Donors | UNHCR | DG ECHO | USAID | Global Fund | GCF | FCDO | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output | Tangible product or service delivered | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outcome | Change resulting from outputs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indicator | Metric used to measure performance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beneficiary | Person receiving project benefit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Person of Concern | UNHCR term for people protected | ✓ | ||||||
| Output Code | UNHCR's unique identifier for each output | ✓ | ||||||
| HIP | Humanitarian Implementation Plan | ✓ | ||||||
| RBM | Results-Based Management | ✓ | ||||||
| ADS | Automated Directive System (USAID policy) | ✓ | ||||||
| PMP | Performance Management Plan | ✓ | ||||||
| PR/SR/SSR | Principal Recipient / Sub-Recipient / Sub-Sub-Recipient | ✓ | ||||||
| LFA | Local Fund Agent (Global Fund oversight) | ✓ | ||||||
| RMF | Results Management Framework | ✓ | ||||||
| ESS | Environmental and Social Standards | ✓ | ||||||
| GAP | Gender Action Plan | ✓ | ||||||
| VfM | Value for Money | ✓ | ||||||
| ToC | Theory of Change | ✓ | ||||||
| NDICI | Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument | ✓ | ||||||
| PRAG | Practical Guide to EU External Aid Procedures | ✓ | ||||||
| IEE | Initial Environmental Examination | ✓ | ✓ |
Preferred Visibility Language
| Donor | Required Statement | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| UNHCR | "Funded by UNHCR" / "UNHCR" logo | All publications, communications |
| DG ECHO | "Funded by the European Union" + EU emblem | All publications, equipment, events |
| USAID | "This [material] is made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID" + USAID logo | All materials per branding guide |
| Global Fund | "The Global Fund" + logo | All communications related to Global Fund-financed products |
| GCF | "This [document] is supported by the Green Climate Fund" + GCF logo | All publications |
| FCDO | "UK aid from the British people" + FCDO logo | All publications, websites |
| EU | "Funded by the European Union" + EU flag | All publications, events, equipment |
| Gates Foundation | "This work is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation" | All publications |
Key Reporting Deadlines
| Donor | Standard Deadline | Extension Policy |
|---|---|---|
| UNHCR | 30 days after reporting period end | Requires written request; not guaranteed |
| DG ECHO | 45 days after reporting period end | Extensions possible with justification |
| USAID | 30 days after reporting period end | Late reports trigger automated escalation |
| Global Fund | 60 days after reporting period end | Late PUDRs affect grant rating |
| GCF | 90 days after fiscal year end | Strict; late reports affect next disbursement |
| FCDO | 30 days after year end | FCDO reviews annually; delays affect next annual review score |
| EU (INTPA) | Per grant agreement (typically 60 days) | Extensions require formal amendment |
| Gates Foundation | Per grant agreement (typically 90 days) | Contact programme officer in advance |
Risk Areas to Watch
| Donor | Highest Risk Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| UNHCR | Protection data quality | UNHCR audits protection monitoring data closely |
| DG ECHO | Humanitarian principles compliance | Deviations can trigger funding review |
| USAID | Cost allowability (FAR/CFR) | Unallowable costs must be refunded |
| Global Fund | KP data accuracy | OIG audits key population data extensively |
| GCF | Emission reduction methodology | Incorrect calculation = reputational and financial risk |
| FCDO | VfM demonstration | Cannot just report activity — must show cost-effectiveness |
| EU | Procurement compliance | Non-compliance can lead to cost disallowance |
| Gates Foundation | Strategic alignment | Reports must connect to foundation's broader theory of change |
Next: Review your Evidence Inventory to ensure all evidence is properly organised and cited.