The Standards for Excellence. Introduction to the *NEW* Standards for Excellence Tiered Application System

Transcription

1 The Standards for Excellence Introduction to the *NEW* Standards for Excellence Tiered Application System

2 Agenda: Why Care About Ethics & Accountability? The Standards for Excellence Code Tiered Certification Process Tier One What s Included? Resources Available for Implementation Questions / Answers

3 Why care about Ethics & Accountability? Public Opinion Competition for Funding Federal and State Legislation

4 Public Opinion In general, do you think the nonprofit sector in America is on the right track or has pretty seriously gotten off in the wrong direction? 37% Right Track 22% Wrong Track 37% Not Sure Question asked of US Adults who volunteered, donated or advocated in the past 12 months Harris Interactive, Donor Pulse February 2009

5 15% want a full report 85% care about nonprofit performance

6 Competition for Funding A Harris poll asked, based on what you know, do you think that most charitable organizations are honest and ethical in their use of donated funds. 64% Strongly agree or somewhat agree that nonprofits are honest and ethical 22% Somewhat or strongly disagree 14% Neutral Question asked of US Adults who volunteered, donated or advocated in the past 12 months Harris Interactive, Donor Pulse February 2009

7 Federal and State Regulatory Scrutiny US Senate Committee on Finance Hearings on Charity Oversight and Reform Internal Revenue Service Form 990 information Governance Conflict of Interest Executive Compensation Charitable status and Charitable deductions under discussion

8 What are the Standards for Excellence? 8 Guiding Principles and 55 Benchmarks Mission and Program Governing Body Conflict of Interest Financial and Legal Human Resources Openness Fundraising Public Affairs and Public Policy

9 Introducing: Tiered Recognition Easier to Navigate Start at level one or three Go at your own pace Each tier builds on the previous

10 Tier One: Essentials Adherence to Basic Legal, Regulatory, and Governance Practices Benefits Lower initial cost Responsive to limited time and resources Formally recognizes achievement and your organization s progress towards full Standards for Excellence certification. Informal recommendations from program staff for future improvement and application to next tier.

11 Tier One: Application Process Application process Submission of the Tier One application package and checklist and application fee. Completion of a free online self-assessment and orientation is also required. Program staff will complete the formal review of the application. Organizations can remain at this tier for a term of three years

12 Mission and Programming Defined Mission Statement Evaluation Program Service Standards

13 Governing Body Roles and Responsibilities Board Composition Board Conduct

14 Conflict of Interest Disclose Everything Define Interested Parties How Decisions Are Made? Conflict of Interest Policy Conflict of Interest Statement Disclosure Forms

15 Human Resources Personnel Policies Employee Evaluation Employee Orientation

16 Financial and Legal Budgets Audits Financial Reports Financial Impropriety Written Financial Policies Legal Compliance

17 Fundraising Fundraising Activities Donor Relations/Privacy Acceptance of Gifts Fundraising Personnel

18 Public Affairs and Public Policy Public Policy Advocacy Public Education Promoting Public Participation

19 *DEEP BREATH*

20 Tier Two: Enhanced Enhancing the Foundations of Nonprofit Management and Governance Benefits Discounts for quickly moving through the tiers. Ability to state completion of the Standards for Excellence Enhanced Tier. Additional informal recommendations from program staff for future improvement and application to next tier.

21 Application Process Tier Two The Application Prior completion of Tier One. Submission of the Tier Two application package and checklist and application fee. Completion of the free online self-assessment. Program staff will complete the formal review process, with final approval by the Ethics Standards Committee. Organizations can remain at this tier for a term of 3 years

22 Tier Three: Certified Standards for Excellence Seal Holder All 55 Standards are included in the third tier Benefits Earn and display the Seal of Excellence Publically able to say that you are certified You will be listed on the Standards for Excellence website as a seal holder Opportunity to be highlighted nationally

23 Tier One & Tier Two Pricing Operating Budget Member Non Member Low Initial Annual Initial Fee Annual Level High Fee Fee Fee A $0 $49,999 $175 $25 $350 $50 B $50,000 $99,999 $225 $25 $450 $50 C $100,000 $299,999 $275 $35 $550 $75 D $300,000 $499,999 $325 $50 $650 $75 E $500,000 $999,999 $375 $50 $750 $100 F $1,000,000 $4,999,999 $425 $50 $850 $100 G $5,000,000 $9,999,999 $450 $75 $900 $100 H $10,000,000 $24,999,999 $500 $75 $1,000 $100 I $25,000,000 $49,999,999 $550 $100 $1,100 $250 J $50,000,000 - $600 $100 $1,200 $250

24 Tier Three Pricing Operating Budget Member Non Member Initial Annual Initial Annual Level Low High Fee Fee Fee Fee A $0 $499,999 $600 $200 $1,800 $600 B $500,000 $999,999 $850 $275 $2,250 $825 C $1,000,000 $4,999,999 $900 $300 $2,700 $900 D $5,000,000 $9,999,999 $1,300 $450 $3,900 $1,350 E $10,000,000 $24,999,999 $1,700 $500 $5,100 $2,500 F $25,000,000 $49,999,999 $2,000 $585 $6,000 $2,925 G $50,000,000 - $2,300 $650 $6,900 $3,250

25 Educational materials specifically focused on the Standards For Excellence code MOST ED PACKETS REVISED IN Direct technical assistance Standards for Excellence specific seminars Other topical training seminars

26 Standards for Excellence Replication Partners 2011

27 Questions and Answers

28 For More Information: Kate Hull Project Specialist, The Arc of the United States For a copy of the Standards for Excellence Tiered Recognition Starter Kit or call: Melissa Sines Certification Manager, Standards for Excellence msines@mdnonprofit.org