Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence The Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence are the essential elements of a successful nonprofit organization. When implemented, the 3 Hallmarks listed below will help move an organization forward on the path of mission fulfillment and better position it for long-term sustainability. Leadership and Governance Hallmark An organizations governing board plays a critical role in its success. With respect to membership, the board should be constructed in a strategic manner to ensure a mix of skills and backgrounds appropriate for the organizations needs and stage of development. Board members are selected with the expectation that they contribute time, talent and treasure in ensuring the necessary resources are secured, planning occurs in a strategic manner and internal and external policies are in place. Senior leadership is chosen based on the skills, experience, and fit with the organization in accordance with its own developmental needs. Collaborative work between the board and the executive leadership is an important key to organizational success. When it comes to managing a nonprofit that is strong in Leadership & Governance, the best nonprofits: Build boards comprised of individuals who possess the special characteristics and skills needed for this specific organization to accomplish the mission, including functional and program content-related expertise. Have boards whose commitment and involvement is reflected in time and/or financial contributions. Engage the board in long-term and short-term planning activities as necessary to determine (or affirm) the organizations mission, to define specific goals and objectives related to the mission and to evaluate the success of the organizations programs toward achieving the mission. Establish policies enabling the board to effectively manage the organization; these policies are explicit and cover board procedures and term limits. Have boards who are responsible for their own operations, including the education, training and development of board members, periodic evaluation of their own performance, and new board member recruitment. Have systems in place for the board to conduct a periodic evaluation of the chief executive officer that will facilitate a regular assessment of the chief executive officers fit with the organizations needs over time. Are led by a senior leadership team that possesses the special characteristics and skills needed for the organization to accomplish its mission. Demonstrate evidence of an effective working relationship between the organizations senior leadership and its board. Exemplify a commitment to diversityethnic representation, specified professional skills, gender, age and other relevant characteristicsthat is reflected in the senior leadership and the board. Ensure a strategy is in place pertaining to executive succession to ensure organizational stability over time. Accountability and Integrity As recipients and stewards of public funds, transparency is an important attribute of well-managed nonprofits. The value that organizational leaders place on integrity in every element of the organizations work can have a profound influence on organization success over time. Sharing mission, program and finance information with the public is a critical part of cultivating that transparency and trust. Having appropriate policies in place to address potential conflicts of interest and ensuring compliance with legal and reporting requirements also play a major role in fostering a culture of integrity throughout the organization. Nonprofits who effectively put Accountability & Integrity principles into practice do the following: Provide the public with information about their mission, program activities and finances and ensure that organization staff members are accessible and responsive to members of the public who express an interest in their affairs. Have conflict of interest policies in place and routinely and systematically implement these policies to prevent actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Periodically conduct an internal review of their compliance with existing legal, regulatory and financial reporting requirements. Human Resources It is people who advance a nonprofits mission. Strong nonprofit performance requires an organization to make and value its investment in the people who drive the organizations programs and keep the organization engaged with its constituents. Investment in human resources is reflected in policies and procedures that support staff and volunteers in their ability to work effectively, receive adequate compensation and have access to opportunities for professional development. Nonprofits with strong Human Resources practices have the following characteristics: Written personnel policies and procedures, approved by the board, governing the work and actions of all employees and volunteers of the organization. Written job descriptions for employees that clearly identify roles and responsibilities. System in place for conducting annual performance evaluations for all employees. A professional development plan for the organization and effective practices for recruiting and retaining qualified and diverse (under-represented ethnic representation, specified professional skills, gender, age, etc.) employees and volunteers. Succession plans for all upper management roles. Formalized and clear roles and responsibilities for all organizational entities. A complete organization chart that reflects current organizational realities. Effective use of benchmarking for compensation and salary planning. Answer the following questions 1-3 pages 1. What are some definitions or features that youve discovered (research must be done) on managerial excellence of nonprofit organizations in the areas of Leadership and Governance, Accountability and Integrity and Human Resources? 2. In what ways they support or expand upon the features found in the Hallmarks. listed above? 3. Explain how, the 3 Hallmarks will help move an organization forward on the path of mission fulfillment and better position it for long-term sustainability. 1-3 pages 4. What makes for nonprofit managerial excellence in the 3 Hallmarks? 5. Why does this excellence matter?Show more
