Integrity Due Diligence

Integrity Due Diligence represents the fourth and most comprehensive tier in Paragon’s Four-Tier Due Diligence Framework. Building on ATFS, ATFS HR, and Integrity Review, it provides registry-verified checks, ownership mapping, and expanded documentation to support client decision-making in higher-risk or complex grantmaking environments. At this level, reviews draw on authoritative data sources to verify authenticity, confirm organizational integrity, and create a defensible foundation for funding decisions where red flags or elevated risks are present.

Escalation to IDD is recommended when material concerns arise that warrant documented verification. Triggers may include discrepancies between certificates and disclosures; inability to verify subcontractors or vendors through Dow Jones data; adverse media reporting allegations of corruption, fraud, organized crime, or terrorist financing; high-level PEP exposure in corruption-prone environments; or beneficiary and intermediary banks with significant adverse media or regulatory or enforcement history.

At this stage, Paragon leverages integrity due diligence tools (LexisNexis) to conduct registry and official filing checks, litigation and enforcement record searches, insolvency and regulatory filings reviews, and expanded ownership mapping. Registry-backed checks are also applied, where applicable, to banks, vendors, subcontractors, and controlling entities. Optional targeted screening of major funders is available when those funders are material, government-linked, or reputationally sensitive. Tier 4 concludes with an Integrity Due Diligence report that documents verified findings and delivers clear, registry-supported reporting to equip clients for decision-making in higher-risk or complex contexts.