Standards for Excellence Recognition: Standards Basics

The process starts with the nonprofit using the Standards for Excellence code, and tools such as the online self-assessment, to evaluate their organization, and then gathering the necessary information and documentation. Examples of documentation needed include: your mission statement, list of programs and services, descriptions of how you evaluate your programs, and information about your board.

After creating a free account, the nonprofit’s leadership works through the application, saving along the way to come back as needed. When they have completed all the questions and are ready to submit the application, they pay the application fee. (This fee covers the application review; it varies depending on the organization’s budget. Members of the Standards for Excellence Institute, Maryland Nonprofits, and other Standards partners receive a discount.)

Standards for Excellence Institute professionals with expertise in nonprofit management and accountability review the applications for Standards basics recognition. Those professionals work with the nonprofit to make sure the application is complete and meets all requirements. The nonprofit may be asked to provide more information or documentation. Nonprofits learn about and implement best practices immediately as they go through this thorough review process.

Nonprofits who earn this recognition are then able to prove to their stakeholders (funders, community members, board, staff, volunteers), that they have strong policies in place for good governance and legal compliance, and a well-defined mission with impactful programs. Their community will have outside verification about the quality of their programs, accountability and openness, and commitment to best practices.

The nonprofits are included on the Standards of Excellence Institute website. Their Standard basics recognition designation is noted in their GuideStar profile. (Note that nonprofits sign a licensing agreement and pay a licensing fee that is based upon membership status and budget size.)