Background Checks for Nonprofits & the Public Sector
Your mission is to serve and protect. But one unscreened volunteer or staff member can destroy everything you’ve built — your reputation, your funding, and the trust of those who depend on you.
SecureSearch delivers comprehensive, FCRA-compliant background screening built for nonprofits, government agencies, and public sector organizations — with no setup fees, no minimums, and a dedicated team who gets to know your organization.
Why Nonprofits & Public Sector Organizations Are Prime Targets
Your organization exists to do good — but that mission makes you a target. Predators specifically seek out nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations because they know three things:
- Budgets are tight — screening is often skipped or done with cheap instant checks that miss critical records
- Trust is assumed — volunteers are rarely questioned, especially friends, family, or long-time community members
- Vulnerable populations are accessible — children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those in crisis are in your care
The hard truth: Over 90% of abuse is perpetrated by someone the victim already knows and trusts. Background checks alone aren’t enough — but comprehensive, human-validated screening from a dedicated team is your strongest defense.
Negligent hiring is a real and serious legal risk. Courts have consistently held that organizations — including nonprofits — are liable when they fail to screen individuals who then harm others. A single lawsuit can bankrupt a small nonprofit and destroy decades of community trust.
Who Needs to Be Screened
Every person who interacts with those you serve — not just paid employees:
- Full-time and part-time employees
- Volunteers — regardless of how long they’ve been involved
- Board members and trustees
- Contractors, vendors, and drivers
- Interns and students
- Foster care, adoption, and placement workers
- Government agency staff with access to sensitive populations
The Power of 2: Background Checks + Awareness Training
Background checks catch criminals with records. But what about the predators who haven’t been caught yet? That’s where awareness training comes in.
SecureSearch partners with Safeguard from Abuse™ to give nonprofit organizations the most comprehensive protection available — combining thorough background screening with child abuse awareness training that teaches staff and volunteers to recognize warning signs, report correctly, and create a culture of safety.
This combination deters abusers from targeting your organization — and protects you from costly litigation even when accusations are false.
Not All Background Check Companies Are the Same
Most instant background check services leave dangerous gaps. Here’s how SecureSearch protects nonprofits differently — and why it matters for the people in your care.
| Feature | Instant / Cheap Services | SecureSearch |
|---|---|---|
| Alias name & address history searching | ✗ Rarely included | ✓ Every search, always |
| County courthouse criminal searches | ✗ Not included | ✓ Every address, 7 years |
| National Federal Courts search | ✗ Rarely included | ✓ Yes |
| Human validation of every criminal record | ✗ Automated only | ✓ Every record, every time |
| FCRA Level II Certified staff | ✗ Rarely | ✓ All staff certified |
| Dedicated account team who knows you | ✗ Call center only | ✓ Your dedicated team |
| Volunteer self-pay option (APay™) | ✗ Not available | ✓ Pass cost to applicant |
| Child abuse awareness training included | ✗ Not available | ✓ Safeguard from Abuse™ |
| SearchMyBackground™ — applicant self-entry | ✗ Not available | ✓ Free with every account |
| Setup fees / monthly minimums / contracts | ✗ Often required | ✓ Never |
As Easy as 1-2-3
Getting started with SecureSearch takes minutes — not days. No contracts, no setup fees, no minimums.
Open Your Free Account
Takes 5 minutes online. No paperwork. No contracts. No credit card required.
Send a Screening Request
Enter a name and email. Your applicant gets a secure link to enter their own info and sign consent forms.
Get a Clear, Validated Report
We handle everything. You get a comprehensive, human-reviewed report with no guesswork.
What Nonprofit Leaders Say About SecureSearch
“I wanted to express gratitude for your outstanding customer service and follow-up. You are patient, you explain processes well and your responses come so quickly. You truly stand out above any company I have dealt with.”
Rosemarie V., Director of Staffing — Corners Outreach“I’ve been working with SecureSearch for approximately 8 months and I’ve had outstanding service. As someone new to background screening, I’ve been very pleased that the team is always available and willing to walk me through the process as many times as necessary.”
Amy D., Vice President“We are an organization with multiple sites and the ability to run all background checks with a consistent process throughout the United States is amazing. The team has been very helpful and accommodating to adjust processes to better fit our business model and needs.”
Jill H., Manager of Strategic HR Initiatives
