Professional Development for Nonprofit Experts

In addition to the expert resources we offer to nonprofit organizations and associations, the Standards for Excellence Institute is committed to providing valuable professional development opportunities to individuals who work in or with the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit professionals can volunteer to serve as an application Peer Reviewer or as a member of our Standards for Excellence Council, depending on their level of professional experience.

Independent consultants interested in adding the Standards for Excellence to their professional repertoire can apply to become a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant.

Volunteer Peer Reviewers

Peer Reviewers are trained individuals responsible for evaluating an organization’s application for compliance with the Standards for Excellence code. Using a peer review process ensures that individuals with diverse opinions and expertise in the nonprofit sector review application packages, and that the outcomes will be fair and unbiased.

Standards for Excellence Council

The National Standards for Excellence Council is charged with overseeing the Accreditation and Recognition Program of the Standards for Excellence Institute. Nonprofit senior staff, board members, funders, educators, and experienced nonprofit consultants, accountants, and lawyers are eligible for recruitment or nomination to the Council.

Licensed Consultants

Our licensed consultants have received extensive training in how to work with organizations seeking to implement the Standards for Excellence code. They are familiar with all of our resources and have permission to use our materials in the advancement of their work and the nonprofits and other institutions with whom they work.

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Standards for Excellence reviewers are specially selected to represent a wide cross-section of the nonprofit sector. Each Peer Reviewer possesses at least three years of experience in the development or execution of nonprofit management or governance, and great analytical skills. This volunteer opportunity offers many benefits, such as:

Strengthening ethics and accountability in the nonprofit sector
Networking with other nonprofit management professionals across the United States
Accessing professional development for your analytical and assessment skills
Receiving complimentary registration to Standards for Excellence-related training programs
Opportunities to promote volunteer work with the Standards on resumes and professional profiles

If accepted, potential reviewers must participate in an online training webinar prior to conducting reviews. Reviewers are asked to review a minimum of 2 applications per year. Once the reviewer has analyzed the application, he or she will participate in a team discussion via phone conference. Reviewers may be asked to participate in a follow-up discussion if necessary.

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Members of the Standards for Excellence Council typically have 10+ years of management or governance experience working with nonprofit organizations across a broad spectrum of areas. Nonprofit senior staff, board members, funders, educators, and experienced nonprofit consultants, accountants, and lawyers are eligible for recruitment or nomination to the Council. The Council’s main roles and responsibilities include:

Providing advice and guidance to staff regarding the periodic review and evaluation of the application policies, procedures, and processes
Providing advice and guidance to staff regarding the periodic review of content of the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector
Reviewing and approving or denying all Accreditation or Standards Basics Enhanced applications

This prestigious volunteer opportunity offers many benefits:

Contribute to strengthening ethics and accountability in the nonprofit sector
Network with other nonprofit management professionals
Access professional development for your analytical and assessment skills

apply or nominate now

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Becoming a Licensed Consultant