Professional Volunteer Opportunities 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 a Standards for Excellence application peer reviewer or as a member of our Standards for Excellence Council, depending on their level of professional experience.

Volunteer Peer Reviewers

Standards for Excellence 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 peer 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

After applying and being accepted, potential reviewers will 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, they will participate in a team discussion via phone conference. Reviewers may be asked to participate in a follow-up discussion if necessary.

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.

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