Standards for Excellence Accreditation and Recognition Renewal

The renewal process is intended to serve as a mechanism to ensure that your organization continues to adhere to the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector in your operations and governance and that you have utilized a continuous improvement process to undertake higher tiers of excellence within your own organization. It is our goal to make this renewal process as simple and reasonable as possible.

Because this is considered to be a continuous improvement process, a policy or procedure that was in place at your last application may need some enhancements to continue to be in line with the Standards code. In some cases, policies that have not been reviewed since your last application may need to be reviewed again prior to submission to ensure their continued relevance, applicability and compliance with updated laws or regulations. Other matters that may affect what needs to be updated in your application include:

• There have been changes to the organization’s size, budget, number of employees or volunteers, or other operational structures and processes.
• The policy or document needs to be updated simply because of the passage of time and changes in leadership.
• If your organization has undergone a significant change in the organizational structure (e.g., a merger), please describe this process and explain how the organization implements the Standards in its new structure.

To maintain your accreditation or recognition you will pay two fees based upon your budget size and membership status. These are the application fee and annual licensing fee. You will be invoiced for these separately.

Application Renewal fee: Paid three years after your initial accreditation, and thereafter every five years at the time when your renewal application is submitted.

Licensing fee: Paid annually.

Members of Maryland Nonprofits should click here for a customized fee schedule (scroll to the bottom of the page). 

Steps to Renew

1. Check your license to confirm the end date. Your application will be due four months prior to the end of your current license
2. Create a log in for your organization on our online application system and submit your profile and intent to apply with your planned submission date. If your last application was prior to fall 2020 please contact khull@standardsforexcellence.org for more details. 
3. Review the Self-Assessment
4. Review applicable sample application (linked below)
5. Make a plan to implement any needed organizational changes
6. Reach out for help when you need it (reach out to a member of our team)
7. Plan to submit your application by your stated deadline

Organizations who are currently accredited will need to demonstrate that they meet all of the Standards for Excellence benchmarks by applying for accreditation. View an overview of the application process.

A reference copy of the application form can be found here. Please note, organizations need to submit their application online.