Engaging with the National Standards Accreditation Program
National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations has been an important resource for the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG). During CFCG’s most recent strategic planning process, the board set three goals. One of these goals is to be a “trusted, ethical, and excellent organization”. Staff and Board will have it no other way! I’m optimistic that this attitude prevails throughout our field.
Since CFCG first became accredited in June, 2006, we have relied on National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations to aid us in achieving and maintaining this goal. Becoming accredited requires a thorough review and testing of policies, procedures, and communications. Our board is engaged in the process as documents are reviewed. The structure within which the foundation operates is re-examined.
As an accredited foundation, we can confidently engage with the public, including donors, grantees and professional advisors, knowing that our work is supported by best practices in the field, and that risks have been minimized by ensuring that we are operating in accordance with current laws and regulations.
LEADING THE NATIONAL STANDARDS PROCESS
I’ve had an inside view of the National Standards program since joining the Standards Board five years ago, working closely with a group of dedicated colleagues from foundations across the country all committed to similar goals of making the standards program strong and keeping it rigorous & fair. More than 500 community foundations from 49 states are participating in the program and are accredited. My membership on the CFNSB follows service on the Accounting Practices Committee of the FAOG group. On that committee, I enjoyed being informed about new developments and being able to keep an eye on emerging issues and that is certainly true of CFNSB! Look for the opportunity later this summer to nominate a colleague, or yourself, to serve on this Board. It’s a great opportunity for learning and broadening your engagement within our field.
IMPROVING THE STANDARDS PROCESS
The National Standards program has undergone major changes in the last years – new and consolidated standards, a new on-line platform, and a new fee structure. If you’ve gone through the process you know that preparing an application for accreditation is not simple. Policies, agreements, communications, there are scores of documents that must be reviewed, edited, and approved. Now, new sample policies and other sample documents have been prepared by the Council’s legal team for you to edit and use and are available to you on the CFNSB website at http://cfstandards.org/.
LEARN MORE AT THE CONFERENCE
The COF Annual Conference is a wonderful place to network with others about their experiences with National Standards accreditation. On Sunday morning, I invite and encourage you to attend the session “Holding Your Foundation to the Highest Standards” where Lara Kalwinski, Director of National Standards, and I will be joined by colleagues from the Independent Sector to discuss tools you can use within your foundation to create or improve your own framework for organizational excellence with, of course, plenty of time for tips related to participating in and passing National Standards! I look forward to seeing you there.
Hazle Hamilton is Executive Vice President at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
