Baltimore, MD – December 16, 2021; The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, announces its 2021 Class of Licensed Consultants.Thirty-two class members hailing from various regions of the country completed the intensive, five-day virtual training seminar and can now assist nonprofits nationwide. They bring over 530 collective years of nonprofit experience to the table and represent organizations from[…]

Many organizations ask the question “when does our advocacy work on policies or legislation become lobbying that our 501(C)(3) has to report to the IRS?”  We think that the difference between “lobbying” and “advocacy” is very important to understand, so that organizations can maximize their impact while staying within the limits on their charitable status.ADVOCACY VS. LOBBYING & THE IMPORTANCE OF SECTION 501(H) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC)“Lobbying”, in most situations, such state or local[…]

Contact: Amy Coates MadsenDirector Standards for Excellence Instituteacmadsen@standardsforexcellence.org Introducing: Standards for Excellence Institute® Licensed Consultants Class of June 2021Baltimore, MD – August 11, 2021 The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, recently licensed a new group of Licensed Consultants from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through a partnership with the[…]

Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County offer special program for arts nonprofits in Anne Arundel County and nonprofits EXCEL by earning Standards for Excellence® Awards An amazing opportunity for Anne Arundel County arts programs aspiring to be more sustainable, build lasting relationships within their network, strengthen their boards of directors, and improve their organization’s performance was presented in 2017. The Arts Council of Anne Arundel[…]

According to the National Council of Nonprofits, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned many nonprofit conversations from sustainability to survivability.  Different estimates forecast that up to a third of nonprofit organizations may not survive the financial crisis and economic downturn caused by the pandemic.  Now, more than ever, it is important for nonprofit organizations to remain focused on their mission and follow best practices to ensure their long-term sustainability. If I have learned[…]

Contact: Kat LaTour Marketing and Communications Assistant, Standards for Excellence Instituteklatour@standardsforexcellence.org Introducing: Standards for Excellence Institute® Licensed Consultants Class of 2021Baltimore, MD – March 3, 2021, The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, announces its January 2021 Class of Licensed Consultants. Thirty-three class members hailing from various regions of the[…]

This has certainly been an interesting year, filled with all kinds of challenges and issues that we never thought possible at the start of the year in January 2020.  One thing that I’ve held onto is this idea that the Standards for Excellence Institute would create a series of 52 Tips over each of the 52 Tips in 2020.  With this latest post, I am happy to say that we met this goal.  With the world changing so quickly, it was not difficult to come up with topics of relevance and interest to[…]

During 2020, my family and I have taken some extra time to sit down in our home to watch movies.  One of the movies I enjoyed most in this year was the 2019 movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood starring Tom Hanks. I just loved this movie – just as I adored watching Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood as a young girl.  In these times, I find myself reflecting on the quote from Fred Rogers, “when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the[…]

Contact: Kat LaTourMarketing and Communications Assistant, Standards for Excellence Institute®klatour@standardsforexcellence.orgBaltimore, MD – December 18, 2020 The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, announces its 2020 Class of Licensed Consultants. Twenty-nine class members hailing from various regions of the country completed the intensive, five-day virtual training seminar and can assist[…]

Last night I sat on my couch with my laptop considering my year-end charitable giving. Where to give this year?  Should I stick with those I gave to last year or give to organizations I haven’t supported in the past? Can I make all of my gifts online? Or will I have to find my checkbook and stamps? Apparently, I am not alone. According to research from the NP Source, 30 % of nonprofit giving occurs in the last month of the year. Wow! That is a bit breathtaking!I was talking with a friend earlier[…]