Recent news about the bankruptcy filing at Baltimore Behavioral Health Center is a startling and disturbing example of what can go wrong when nonprofits don’t do all that they can to keep their work ethical, accountable, and above board.The story reads like a “how to get your name in the paper” manual: allegations like blatant instances of conflicts of interest, related individuals that were both board members and staff members, hiring practices that did not screen for individuals on federal[…]

With super storms crashing through the region, hurricane season just behind us, and winter looming ahead, it occurred to me how much productivity an organization could gain if their staff worked from home. What if employees were already telecommuting when a physical office closed due to snow or power outage? What if the groundwork was laid so that, in case of emergency, an employee could telecommute from any location? If this were the case, work could continue despite issues that may be[…]

With super storms crashing through the region, hurricane season just behind us, and winter looming ahead, it occurred to me how much productivity an organization could gain if their staff worked from home. What if employees were already telecommuting when a physical office closed due to snow or power outage? What if the groundwork was laid so that, in case of emergency, an employee could telecommute from any location? If this were the case, work could continue despite issues that may be[…]

My Top 3 Reasons for Standards for Excellenceby Maria Carrasquillo, MJH Consulting Last month, I was one of many who have been certified as a Licensed Consultant with the Standards for Excellence Institute (SFX). The three-day training was informative, intriguing, and invigorating. For many, many years, my eyes have been following this program and, finally, I find myself sitting in a room with twenty participants. As I processed my experience, I gave some serious thought to my personal reasons[…]

By: Greg Cantori, President & CEO, Maryland Nonprofits and the Standards for Excellence InstituteLast month I had the pleasure of welcoming the 2012 class of Licensed Consultants to Baltimore for three days of extensive training in how to work with organizations seeking to implement the Standards for Excellence® code.  Planning my remarks, I decided to tell the story of my first week on the job at my previous position at the Downtown Sailing Center…Our summer Junior Sailing Camp was in full[…]

Cartoon CreditIn July 2012, Sally Patterson then Interim President & CEO of the Standards for Excellence Institute and Maryland Nonprofits was interviewed by Joce Sterman of ABC2 News about nonprofit organizations that claim zero fundraising expenses. But in this Chronicle of Philanthropy article entitled, “Nonprofit Inquiry Thrusts Fundraising Costs into the Spotlight,” Suzanne Perry discusses that the current issue isn’t low cost fundraising but expenses that are too high when compared to the[…]

Garth Brooks sings about his less-than-reputable buddies in his popular country song, “Friends in Low Places.” It is hard to determine whose reputation appeared more sullied in Mr. Brooks’ recent headlining activities – himself or the nonprofit hospital which he sued for apparently not following his wishes.Recently, a jury in Oklahoma ordered the Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, to which Garth Brooks had made a $500,000 donation, to refund his contribution plus punitive damages because the[…]

Garth Brooks sings about his less-than-reputable buddies in his popular country song, “Friends in Low Places.” It is hard to determine whose reputation appeared more sullied in Mr. Brooks’ recent headlining activities – himself or the nonprofit hospital which he sued for apparently not following his wishes.Recently, a jury in Oklahoma ordered the Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, to which Garth Brooks had made a $500,000 donation, to refund his contribution plus punitive damages because the[…]

The ethics field lost a giant last week when Rushworth Kidder, President and Founder of the Institute for Global Ethics in Rockport, Maine passed way in Naples, Florida.While I am sorry to say that I never personally met Rush, I was an avid reader of his publications and works and I often cited a quote from his writings.  My favorite Rushworth Kidder quote was:“…because nonprofits have an obligation to do the right things-often wrenching choices among competing priorities, and having to ask what[…]

I had a pang of sadness and nostalgia recently when I read that the Helena Rubinstein Foundation would soon be closing its doors and ceasing operations.  You see, growing up in the seventies in suburban New Jersey, the Helena Rubinstein Foundation was the one and only foundation that ever crossed my conscientious because Helen Rubinstein was recognized on Channel 13, my local public television station as the underwriter of Sesame Street and other children’s shows.   I wasn’t aware of any other[…]