Why should my organization join PANO?
Contact Information
Who can join PANO? 
How much does membership cost?
Do you accept credit cards or on-line registration?
What do I do if I have a complaint about a charitable organization?
 

Why should my organization join PANO?

PANO is the statewide membership organization serving and advancing the charitable nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education and other services in order to improve the overall quality of life in Pennsylvania. PANO helps charities become more efficient and effective through collaboration, cooperation and the sharing of resources and information. PANO helps charities succeed together where they can not succeed separately.

Member Services: PANO offers a number of exclusive member services and benefits. As a member, you receive access to a number of exceptional benefits, such as insurance products, discounted software and technology, payroll and tax services, discounted office supplies, and access to educational seminars throughout the state. In addition to these great benefits, you will also receive our quarterly newsletter “Keynotes,” complete with the latest news from the nonprofit sector, fundraising and risk management. You will also receive PANO Enews, a bi-weekly electronic newsletter, which keeps members up to date on events and public policy issues and activities. With our member help desk, members are one call away from the information it needs (please note we cannot provide legal or accounting advice).

Standards for Excellence:  This ethics and accountability code, educational resources, training, and certification program strengthens your organization by establishing ways to assess and improve financial systems, governance, personnel practices, mission/program, fundraising, and more. Through the Standards program, your organization will learn how to maintain a better informed staff and board, keeping both active and energized. Furthermore, your organization can experience increased credibility with current and potential donors, as well as the general public. By achieving better structure and more focused planning, your organization can have a more productive work environment.

Public Policy: PANO is a statewide leader on public policy issues that broadly impact Pennsylvania’s charitable nonprofit sector. We monitor changes in Federal and State legislation and regulations that impact the sector. PANO typically engages issues of:

1. Tax exempt status

2. Charitable giving legislation

3. Unfair competition

4. How charities are governed

5. Case by case on other bills that might have a material effect on charities in a global way

 PANO will consider issues on charitable governance (transparency & accountability), advocacy (and lobbying), charitable tax exemptions (property tax, sales tax, income tax), volunteerism, and fundraising (and funding). PANO shares public policy information with members through its biweekly enews, additional public policy updates, Keynotes, and “Action Alerts” when immediate action is needed. PANO offers public policy training, workshops and webinars on advocacy, lobbying, lobbying disclosure, and pending legislation, as well as legislative briefings and town hall meetings. Specialized training is available. PANO’s Public Policy Committee meets monthly via conference call and is open to all PANO members willing to discuss the issues and get involved. Other PANO initiatives include Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Congress, and the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus. By sharing new laws, regulations, initiatives, and research with charities, PANO connects charities to government, to the general public and to the entire charitable nonprofit community. In a word, public policy is leadership.

Training: Members and nonmembers have access to a wide variety of educational topics.  Any staff or board member of a member agency can attend our program and co-sponsored programs at the PANO member rate.

Testimonial: I am astounded by how helpful the PANO folks have been. We've only been a member for a few weeks, and have already turned to you for assistance twice with great results. ---Alexander C. Henderson, Executive Manager, Lafayette Ambulance and Rescue Squad, Inc., February 2006

Also read Top Ten Reasons Why Nonprofits Should Join their State Association

How do I contact PANO?

Contact information for PANO staff.

PANO is committed to addressing problems when they occur. If staff is unable to satisfactorily resolve a member complaint, staff is expected to bring the problem to the attention of their immediate supervisor. Members are encouraged to bring any unresolved problems or concerns to the attention of the Executive Director, or the Board Chair, at the earliest possible time.  Board List.

Who can join PANO?

Any 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (4)  organization may join as a regular, voting member of PANO. 501 (c) (6) organizations that serve nonprofits are also eligible.  Individuals forming any of these (c) organizations may join as a nonprofit while the paperwork is being processed. Consultants and service providers in the nonprofit sector and other interested parties may join as an associate member. Students may join.

How much does membership cost?

There are two dues structures.  A tiered structure by budget size applies to charities.  Associate memberships are as described.

2010 Dues for Charities:
If your operating budget (not including grants to other organizations) is:

under $50,000 - $70
between $51,000 and 199,000 - $90
between $200,000 and $499,000 - $150
between $500,000 and $699,999- $255
between $700,000 and $999,999- $295
between 1,000,000 and 1,999,999 - $410
between 2,000,000 and $4,999,999 - $500
between 5,000,000 and $7,999,999 - $585
Over $8,000,000 - $635

Associate Members:
Student- $25

Individual - $100 board member, volunteer, general supporter of PANO- No businesses/consultants
 
2010 Corporate (Business) Members:
1-2 staff - $300
3-10 staff - $500
11-50 staff- $600
51-100 staff- $750
101+ staff - $1000

Do you accept credit cards or on-line registration?

Yes. Please visit our online marketplace to pay for publications, membership, and event registration.  Need assistance using our ecommerce site?  See our help manual.

Request a membership packet and application

What do I do if I have a complaint about a charitable organization?

PANO is a charity, not a government agency, so we are not equipped to respond to complaints about charities.  The only exception would be if the agency has been certified through our Standards for Excellence Program (see list).  Otherwise, we have produced a document that provides guidance on who to contact.  We request that callers do not contact our office about this matter and instead consult the appropriate agency.

What is PANO's Donor Privacy Policy?

All information concerning donors or prospective donors, including their names, addresses, and telephone numbers, the names of their beneficiaries, the amount of their gift, etc., shall be kept strictly confidential by PANO and its staff unless permission is obtained from the donor to release such information, unless required by law.  

Gifts and donations may be restricted by a donor for use in any specific service area, and/or for any stated PANO purpose or program, and these requests must be honored.

PANO does not participate in selling renting or trading its own donor lists.  If you would like to make a donation to PANO or its Standards for Excellence program, you can get more information here.  Here is our full policy.