By Sixtine Tabard - Reading time 4 minsEthical procurement in nonprofits plays a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 12, ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’. This goal of the United Nations urges organizations to reduce environmental harm and adopt responsible sourcing practices.
For mission-driven organizations, procurement goes beyond basic compliance. It reflects a deep commitment to integrity, transparency, and long-term impact. By choosing the right suppliers and materials, nonprofits that align with SDG 12 make sure every decision benefits both people and the planet.
Common procurement challenges for nonprofits
Nonprofits often face significant hurdles in procurement. For example, limited financial resources might restrict the ability to prioritize ethical or sustainable suppliers. Donor pressure may emphasize cost-efficiency over ethical considerations.
Regional constraints, such as limited access to sustainable products, further complicate sourcing. Besides that, many nonprofit teams operate without dedicated procurement staff. This significantly complicates the evaluation of supplier practices.
Strategies for responsible sourcing and supplier vetting
Even with limited budgets, nonprofits can make procurement more ethical and sustainable. By embedding responsibility into each step, they reduce risk, build trust, and lead by example.
One effective strategy is using Supplier Codes of Conduct. It sets clear expectations for labor rights, environmental standards, and ethical behavior. Sustainability scorecards are important as well, because they give nonprofits an easy way to check how well suppliers meet set sustainability standards.
They focus on key factors such as waste management, energy use, and fair labor practices.
Forming long-term partnerships with reliable suppliers encourages collaboration and ongoing progress in sustainability. At the same time, decentralized review panels ensure that procurement decisions reflect the organization’s mission by including diverse perspectives.
These strategies go further than just meeting requirements. They build trust, enhance transparency, and help nonprofits align with Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. By doing so, every purchase becomes a step toward a more sustainable world.
How Make-A-Wish® applies ethical procurement in global operations
Ethical procurement is a key part of the broader sustainability strategy of Make-A-Wish.
Across nearly 50 countries, our focus is on making responsible choices that align with both environmental values and long-term impact.
This commitment translates into concrete actions, such as sourcing materials and services locally to limit transport emissions. Other examples are reducing single-use plastics at events and in offices, and prioritizing purchases that offer lasting value over short-term cost savings.
These practices reflect more than operational efficiency. They represent a clear shift toward responsible consumption, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 12. Most importantly, they show that Make-A-Wish can create life-changing wish experiences for children around the world without compromising the planet.
Aligning procurement with organizational values and mission
Procurement choices reflect core values like child safety and dignity. By choosing partners who uphold these principles, such as inclusive and accessible venues, nonprofits promote fairness, sustainability, and social responsibility. Ethical procurement is more than a logistical concern. In fact, it’s a key part of building trust and staying true to the organization’s identity.
Tools and frameworks for sustainable procurement
It’s important to make procurement more sustainable. Nonprofits can rely on several established tools and frameworks that promote consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement. The UN Global Compact is a good example. It provides guiding principles on human rights, labor standards, and environmental responsibility for organizations.
ISO 20400 offers a recognized international standard, specifically for sustainable procurement. This gives nonprofits a structured approach to integrating sustainability into their purchasing decisions.
Supplier scorecards are very useful as well. They serve as practical tools to track and compare vendor performance over time. This makes it easier to identify gaps and areas for improvement. By using several resources, nonprofits strengthen their procurement and support long-term organizational learning and impact.
Promoting transparency and accountability in nonprofit supply chains
Ethical procurement in nonprofits is essential in building trust with donors and the public. Being transparent shows the commitment of non-profits to responsible sourcing. This includes publishing clear procurement policies and regularly auditing their practices.
Sharing updates in annual reports, such as the percentage of eco-certified suppliers, is important as well. This is a way to highlight progress and motivate ongoing improvement.
Ethical procurement is a core responsibility for any organization, especially for nonprofits aligned with SDG 12. Each purchasing decision should reflect thoughtfulness, ethical standards, and long-term responsibility.
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