The Standards for Excellence Introduction to the *NEW* Standards for Excellence Tiered Application System
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
Why care about Ethics & Accountability? Public Opinion Competition for Funding Federal and State Legislation
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
15% want a full report 85% care about nonprofit performance
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
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
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
Introducing: Tiered Recognition Easier to Navigate Start at level one or three Go at your own pace Each tier builds on the previous
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.
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
Mission and Programming Defined Mission Statement Evaluation Program Service Standards
Governing Body Roles and Responsibilities Board Composition Board Conduct
Conflict of Interest Disclose Everything Define Interested Parties How Decisions Are Made? Conflict of Interest Policy Conflict of Interest Statement Disclosure Forms
Human Resources Personnel Policies Employee Evaluation Employee Orientation
Financial and Legal Budgets Audits Financial Reports Financial Impropriety Written Financial Policies Legal Compliance
Fundraising Fundraising Activities Donor Relations/Privacy Acceptance of Gifts Fundraising Personnel
Public Affairs and Public Policy Public Policy Advocacy Public Education Promoting Public Participation
*DEEP BREATH*
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.
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
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
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
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
Educational materials specifically focused on the Standards For Excellence code MOST ED PACKETS REVISED IN 2008-2010 Direct technical assistance Standards for Excellence specific seminars Other topical training seminars
Standards for Excellence Replication Partners 2011
Questions and Answers
For More Information: Kate Hull Project Specialist, The Arc of the United States hull@thearc.org 202-534-3707 For a copy of the Standards for Excellence Tiered Recognition Starter Kit email or call: Melissa Sines Certification Manager, Standards for Excellence msines@mdnonprofit.org 443-438-2337