The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, announces its 2016 Class of Licensed Consultants. Recently completing the intensive, three-day training, class members are now licensed in every aspect of the Standards for Excellence program and are capable of assisting nonprofits nationwide. Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultants use their new, extensive knowledge of the multi-faceted initiative to help[…]

It’s not every day that an abandoned warehouse gets turned into a center for the arts. It’s also not every day that a group of generous, like-minded people dedicate their time to introducing the world of expression, creativity, and art to people of all ages. From dancing lessons, theater tech programs, even aftercare, lives are being changed due to an initiative and mission to promote “practice and preservation of world performance traditions.” This, and so much more, are exactly what happens at[…]

The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama hosted a reception to recognize 14 organizations who will share more than $250,000 from a local grant fund, reports the Anniston Star. Three of the organizations have been accredited by the Standards for Excellence program through a partnership with the Community Foundation and the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, a Standards for Excellence Replication Partner. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama will use the resources to support a[…]

The Inasmuch Foundation has announced the distribution of $2.4 million in grants to 25 organizations serving Oklahoma communities, including $25,000 for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits towards their Standards for Excellence, and other programs.Founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord in 1982, the foundation supports education, health and human services and community enhancement initiatives that enrich the quality of life for Oklahomans.In June, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits accepted[…]

Have you ever wondered just how exactly your non-profit organization is going to achieve additional funding? Have you ever taken a good look at your organization and the hardworking volunteers who make it all possible, and wondered how you’re going to take that next step? You’re not alone and the Combined Federal Campaign is available to help.What’s the CFC? (Combined Federal Campaign)The Combined Federal Campaign or CFC’s mission is to “promote and support philanthropy through a program that is[…]

The following post was written by Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant Elizabeth Galaida and is part of our “Ten Years of Advancing Excellence” blog series, celebrating ten years of the Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant program. Elizabeth Galaida is a career nonprofit specialist that offers strategic planning assistance and database renovation. Bringing the necessary depth and breadth of skills sets to bear, she specializes in helping small to mid-sized nonprofits grow and[…]

Learn more about my two-day course, Succeeding as a Consultant to Nonprofits: Setting Up Shop & Getting Down to Business, coming to Baltimore on December 6 & 7, 2016.It seems that, at some point, nearly every nonprofit executive flirts with the idea of either becoming a consultant or going to work for a foundation. In the workshops that I lead for transitioning nonprofit leaders, both of these roles seem to hold some fascination for executives when they contemplate what’s next for their[…]

The following post on nonprofit public engagement was written by Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant Signe Bell and is part of our “Ten Years of Advancing Excellence” blog series, celebrating ten years of the Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant program. Signe has been working with nonprofits and community organizations since 2010. She serves as Director of Nonprofit and Community Programs and Associate Policy Scientist with the Center for Community Research and Service at the[…]

 I was recently given the opportunity to write a blog on a Standards for Excellence® Seal Holder I was particularly passionate about. Without a doubt in mind, I chose the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. At exactly 10:45am on October 19, 2016 I decided to call Sue Early, the organization’s Executive Director. One short ring and I heard the voice on the other end. “This is Sue.” Pleasantly surprised to get an immediate answer, I replied, “Hi Sue this is Ashley Reillo, I’m an intern for The Standards[…]

In a survey conducted of members of Maryland Nonprofits, sponsor of the Standards for Excellence Institute®, in 2014, 119 organizations responded to questions that asked how the organization involved the people it served and the benefits and costs of such efforts.  The Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector, developed and promulgated by Maryland Nonprofits (through the Institute) encourages such involvement and suggests that "evaluations should[…]