PANO History

PANO is a 501 (c)(3) statewide membership organization serving and advancing the charitable nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education, and services in order to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania.   PANO has been in existence since July 1984.  Originally known as the Delaware Valley Council of Agencies (DVCA), the name changed in 1992 when we reorganized as a statewide advocacy organization.  PANO moved to Pittsburgh around 1990 and opened a computer lab. The organization went dormant sometime around January of 1994.

PANO was reorganized in 1995, through the financial and motivational leadership of the Huston Foundation of Conshohocken and the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust of Coatesville.  A new Board was recruited and staff was hired to open an office in Harrisburg.  A Pennsylvania Economy League study commissioned by PANO in 1990 served as a roadmap for the setting of priorities.

1995 through 1997, PANO demonstrated advocacy leadership by facilitating the charity coalition (Charities Build Communities) for passage of Pennsylvania Act 55, amending the Purely Public Charities Act.  This landmark legislation went on to become a model for other states as they addressed issues around tax exemption and unfair competition issues. PANO subsequently trained over 500 charity executives across Pennsylvania on the salient points of Act 55.

PANO provided a 501 (c) (3) umbrella to the BuildPEN Partnership from April 1998 through September 1999.  BuildPEN was a partnership of teachers and businesses that wired Pennsylvania schools to the Internet.  PANO identified eight regional “Hub” groups across the state in 1998 in an effort to better reach out to the charity universe in Pennsylvania.  Regionalization seems the best way to serve its members.  These Hubs have been cultivated and expanded each year.  Training programs are offered on a variety of topics throughout the state.

PANO contracted Eastern College to research the economic impact of the nonprofit sector in 1999.  Its report was released in late 2000.  Training programs about this study were offered across the state and a press conference was held at the State Capitol in April 2001.  The United Way of Pennsylvania especially appreciated the work and used it widely for advocacy and priority development.  An update Employment Report conducted by Johns Hopkins University is scheduled for release in 2005.

PANO aggressively pursued an award to be one of five state associations to replicate a “Standards for Excellence Program” developed by the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations.  This program enables us to enhance the existing training and information services available.  Its certification component will demonstrate organizational accountability for those who successfully participate. 

In 2002, PANO launched its Standards for Excellence certification program for charities. PANO Executive Director Joe Geiger lectured in Japan for two weeks teaching about the nonprofit sector in America and counseling representatives from government, business and the charities to advance their efforts to develop a nonprofit presence. In 2003, PANO and the Niigata Association of Nonprofits consummated a “sister” relationship to continue to share the lessons learned.

In 2003, the Standards Program registered 49 agencies of widely varying demographics for certification We relocated to 800 Corporate Circle Harrisburg to form a Consortium with 3 other associations. This enhanced our staffing and resource capacity. PANO effectively blocked PA SB 692, a bill which would have put Purely Public Charities Act 55 (1997) at risk.  This bill reacted to the unfair competition clause/charitable purpose language in the bill mostly affecting YMCAS.

In 2004, the infrastructure for the Standards Certification was completed.  By the close of the year, fifteen agencies received the Standards for Excellence Seal of Approval. 

PANO received its Standards for Excellence certification from the National Institute in 2005 and released the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Employment Data Project.  As of May 2006, 26 agencies have received the Standards Certification.

PANO currently employs seven full time staff, and has twenty board members.  The board represents diversity in age, gender, professions and geography.  The board and staff participated in its annual retreat in November 2005. Over 560 organizations are members of PANO.  They provide a wide array of services and represent various regions of the state.  PANO’s tenth annual membership meeting was June 2005.