Donors
Invest in Impact Nonprofits
When you GiveBack your time, talent and treasure, you want to make sure you give to effective organizations that are making a positive societal impact. Impact Nonprofits have attested to having exemplary accountability in operation.
Impact Nonprofits are organizations that are committed to sound practices and effective operations. To become an Impact Nonprofit, an organization must attest to five specific accountability measures that are critical to effective nonprofit management.
The five operational accountabilities required to be an Impact Nonprofit are:
1.
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The nonprofit organization has a strategic and/or operating plan(s)
As the saying goes, “one without a plan, plans to fail”. Developing, implementing and
monitoring a basic strategic/operating plan is critical to organizational success. Impact
Nonprofits utilize plans that include performance measures to chart their course and gauge achievement.
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2.
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The strategic and/or operating plan(s) include measures and achievements that are reviewed by Board of Directors at least annually
As community representatives, nonprofit Boards of Directors guide their organizations toward achieving their missions and provide important operational oversight. At a minimum, an annual review of measures and achievements allows board members to monitor program outcomes and results on a regular basis.
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3.
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The Executive Director’s performance is reviewed annually
Effective executive directors are the cornerstone of high-performing organizations. Executive Directors with Impact Nonprofits are reviewed annually by their Board of Directors to ensure they are leading effectively and acting in the best interest of their organizations.
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4.
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The organizational budget is approved by the Board of Directors annually
Financial integrity is critical to sound nonprofit operation. The Boards of Directors of Impact Nonprofits are actively engaged in approving the annual budgets of their organizations to ensure that financial resources are utilized in an appropriate and responsible manner, and that resources are connected to achieving the organization’s strategic or operational goals.
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5.
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An independent financial audit is performed annually and is available for public inspection and/or the organization’s financial statements are reviewed regularly by its Board of Directors
Nonprofit organizations that openly share their financial standing with their staff, partners and the public demonstrate a strong commitment to organizational accountability which builds greater trust among supporters. Impact Nonprofits are dedicated to transparency in operations and depending on what type of organization they are, they share the results of their independent audits with the public and/or they have their finances reviewed regularly by their Boards of Directors.
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The Impact Institute is helping nonprofits achieve and strengthen these five accountability measures through training and technical assistance. The Institute offers low-cost or free training on the following capacity building topics:
- Organizational Assessment and Strategic Planning
- Fundraising Systems Development and Implementation
- Board Governance and Development
- Volunteer Management
As a donor, you can ensure your giving makes a substantial impact by looking for organizations with the Impact Nonprofit logo and identifying organizations with accountability in operations. Search for an Impact Nonprofit and donate your time, talent or treasure today!
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