Category: Press

  • 2016 Class of Standards for Excellence Licensed Nonprofit Consultants

    2016 Class of Standards for Excellence Licensed Nonprofit Consultants

    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 nonprofits strengthen their governance practices and exceed the rising demand for nonprofit accountability. They provide nonprofit organizations with organizational assessments, consulting, training, and assistance in the application process for national Standards for Excellence accreditation. Licensed Consultants may also use the Standards for Excellence training curricula and educational materials in all areas where the Institute does not have replication partners nationwide. Many licensed consultants will also work with licensed replication partners.

    Standards for Excellence Institute leadership has taken decades of research and practice around nonprofit governance, management, and operations and makes it available for consultants to use in their work. I am thrilled to have these guiding principles and tools to use in my consulting practice.

    Jackie Carrera, a new Licensed Consultant based in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, offered, “The Standards for Excellence Institute Licensed Consultant program was incredibly valuable! Standards for Excellence Institute leadership has taken decades of research and practice around nonprofit governance, management, and operations and makes it available for consultants to use in their work. I am thrilled to have these guiding principles and tools to use in my consulting practice.” 

    Heather Iliff, President and CEO of the Standards for Excellence Institute, shared that, “We are thrilled to welcome this prestigious group of individuals into our Licensed Consultant fold.  Nonprofits around the country can count on these great professionals to help them implement these proven best practices in nonprofit management and governance.” 

    The Licensed Consultant Program has grown each year since its inception in 2006. A searchable directory of consultants can be found on the Institute’s website

    Here are the most recent Licensed Consultants: 

     

    Sharon Anderson, Washington, DC
    Melanie Bricker, Baltimore, MD
    Cynthia Campbell, Columbia, MD
    Ronald Carlton, Brooklyn, NY
    Jackie Carrera, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
    Mae Chao, Oceanside, CA
    D’ana Downing, Baltimore, MD
    Duane Doxzen, Woodbine, MD
    Andrea Dunathan, Silver Spring, MD
    Tracey L. Durant, Ed.D, Edgemere, MD
    Dan Furmansky, Silver Spring, MD
    Mary Jermann, Severna Park, MD

    Anne Marie Logue, Gettysburg, PA
    Michelle Nusum-Smith, Frederick, MD
    Cindy O’Neill, Annapolis, MD
    Keith Penn-Jones, Owings Mills, MD
    Valerie Pletcher, Fairfax, VA
    Bunnie Riedel, Columbia, MD
    Kelsey Roebuck, Washington, DC
    Carol Silldorff, Glencoe, MD
    Shiree Skinner, Washington, DC
    Jane Stein, Norfolk, VA
    Robert Visscher, Mechanicsburg, PA
    Rebecca White, Annapolis, MD

    The Standards for Excellence Institute will offer the next Licensed Consultant program in the fall of 2017.  For information on the Licensed Consultant program, visit standardsforexcellence.org/become-a-licensed-consultant

    The Institute, an operating division of Maryland Nonprofits, uses the Standards for Excellence program as its vehicle for effective change. The Standards for Excellence program works to help nonprofit organizations act ethically and accountably in their management and governance, while enhancing the public’s trust in the nonprofit sector.  To learn more, visit www.standardsforexcellence.org.

  • Accredited Alabama Nonprofits Receive Local Grant Funds

    Accredited Alabama Nonprofits Receive Local Grant Funds

    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 one-on-one mentoring program. Community Enabler Developer, a nonprofit providing food assistance to the community, will purchase a walk-in freezer. Both organizations became accredited through a cohort sponsored by the Community Foundation in 2014. The West Anniston Foundation became accredited in 2015 and will invest in a Farms To Families Fruits and Vegetable program. 

    Community Foundation officials will also recognize Anniston’s Community Actors Studio Theatre, at the reception as the newest Standards for Excellence accredited organization in the region. According to the Anniston Star, The YMCA of Calhoun County, accredited since 2014, also will receive a $2,275 Standards for Excellence grant for operations. 

    Jennifer S. Maddox, president and CEO of the foundation, stated in a release that “It is imperative that not-for-profits of all sizes be effective, efficient, credible and transparent as they strive to meet critical community needs… [The] Standards for Excellence provides the tools and templates that enable not-for-profit organizations to improve their policies and practices while maintaining a focus on meeting their mission.” 

    Each year the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama offers training for organizations hoping to get Standards of Excellence accreditation. The next training session will be in February in Etowah County. For more information, contact Heather Lamey at 256-231-5160 Ext. 18.    

  • Replication Partner Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Receives Gift of Office Complex

    Replication Partner Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Receives Gift of Office Complex

    On Wednesday, June 1, Standards for Excellence Replication Partner Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits announced that it has accepted a donation from Chesapeake Energy Corporation of a northwest Oklahoma City office strip mall housing dozens of nonprofit agencies, per The Oklahoman

    Marnie Taylor, the center’s president and chief executive officer, states that the donation is one of the most significant gifts in the organization’s history. 

    The three-building strip mall at was purchased by Chesapeake Energy Corp. in 2008 and currently houses 30 nonprofit organizations as tenants. According to their website, Chesapeake Energy Corporation is “the second-largest producer of natural gas and the 14th largest producer of oil and natural gas liquids in the U.S.” 

    Chesapeake’s director of communications and investor relations, Gordon Pennoyer,  said in a statement that “The [Oklahoma] Center for Nonprofits is the state’s leader in building successful nonprofits and we can think of no better organization to cultivate the growth and further the vision of the Plaza.” 

    “This is absolutely a transformational gift to the center, but I also see it as a gift to the entire nonprofit sector,” Ms. Taylor stated during an interview at the center’s office on the plaza property.

     The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits became a Standards for Excellence Replication Partner in 2006, and is licensed to offer training and resources on the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector throughout the state of Oklahoma. To date, the center has worked with over 650 nonprofits to implement the Standards practices within their organizations. 

    Congratulations to Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and kudos to Chesapeake Energy Corporation for your support and generosity of Oklahoma’s nonprofit community!