Standards for Excellence Accreditation and Recognition Overview

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Standards for Excellence Accreditation

Nonprofits participate in the Standards for Excellence program to strengthen their organization and set it apart as a top performer in their field. Standards for Excellence accreditation demonstrates that an organization has accountability, transparency, and a commitment to established practices. Earning the “Seal of Excellence” includes an independent third-party expert review of the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices. (A Standards for Excellence accredited nonprofit is often referred to as a seal holder.)

Nonprofits of all sizes and service areas can find a tier that fits their needs.

Accreditation and Recognition Tiers

Standards for Excellence Seal Accredited Basics

Standards Basics Recognition

Requires strong policies in place for good governance and legal compliance, and calls for a well-defined mission with impactful programs.

Standards for Excellence Seal Accredited Basics Enhanced

Standards Basics Enhanced Recognition

Requires all the Basics requirements, plus the nonprofit is inclusive of the community served, holds strategic and effective board meetings, and has programs that are attentive to strategic issues and trends in the community.

Standards for Excellence Seal AccreditedAccreditation (Seal of Excellence)

Requires all the Basics and Basics Enhanced requirements, plus the nonprofit has long-range strategic and sustainability plans, a resource development plan, a succession plan, a policy on strategic partnerships, and a code of ethics. Accreditation requires meeting all the requirements in the Standards for Excellence code.

Benefits for a Nonprofit Working for Accreditation or Recognition 

Going through the process has many benefits for a nonprofit.

The nonprofit will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of its effectiveness,
  • Identify growth opportunities,
  • Improve its decision-making,
  • Maximize its board performance,
  • Raise more money,
  • Increase equity and inclusion,
  • Earn public trust,
  • Become a sustainable organization, and
  • Minimize risks.

The organization’s accreditation or recognition designations will automatically be noted in their GuideStar public profile and listed on the Standards of Excellence Institute website.

Benefits for Donors and Funders and Communities

Standards for Excellence accreditation lets funders and donors know that the nonprofit’s precious resources are being stewarded wisely. The communities of Standards for Excellence accredited nonprofits can have confidence in the quality of their programs, their accountability and openness, and their commitment to proven practices.

The Standards Effect

An independent study* measured the impact of achieving Standards for Excellence accreditation, examining changes in direct public support before and after an organization gained accreditation. Accreditation was associated with increases in public support.

$286,589

Revenue Pre-Accreditation

$323,764

Revenue Post-Accreditation

*Feng, Nancy C., Neely, Daniel G., and Slatten, Lise Anne D. “Accountability Standards for Nonprofit Organizations: Do Organizations Benefit from Certification Programs?” International Journal of Public Administration. 39.6 (2016).

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