About the Standards for Excellence in Pennsylvania

The Standards for Excellence is the first statewide ethics and accountability program for the nonprofit sector. The program was developed between 1994 and 1998 by the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations. A work group of over 50 nonprofit executives, consultants and Board Members approved the standards and tested the educational and certification component. 

In 2002, Maryland nonprofits received a grant supported in part from the Carnegie Corporation to replicate the program in five states. Over 20 state nonprofit associations responded positively. The five states chosen were: Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.  In 2004, Illinois became the sixth state to replicate the program.

Launched in 2004, the Standards for Excellence Institute is a national program that allows nonprofit organizations in any state access to the Ethics and Accountability Code and Educational Resources. Membership information is found at http://www.standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org/.

PANO created its own Standards Committee, an independent Committee of the Board to oversee implementation and development of the program.  A statewide advisory committee was formed to address content evaluation and assure that the program be of value and provide useful support to the diverse groups of organizations in Pennsylvania. From September 2002 to the present, PANO has offered Introductory Sessions, Clinic Series, and the Certification process. (See Participation Process).

Map of Regions where Organizations are Certified

List of Certified Agencies
(As of May 2009)

1. accessAbilities, Inc., Greensburg

2. The Arc of Chester County, West Chester

3. Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg 

4. Berks Connections/Pretrial Services, Reading

5. BerksTALKLINE, Reading

6. CARE for Children, Bradford

7. Carlisle Area Health & Wellness Foundation  

8. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg

9. Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, Inc.  Camp Hill

10. Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc., Reading

11. The Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron Counties, St. Marys

12. The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, Greensburg

13. The Crime Victims Center of Chester County

14. Crossing the Finish Line, East Norriton

15. Elk County Council on the Arts, St. Marys

16. Employment Opportunity & Training Center of NEPA, Scranton

17. The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Harrisburg

18. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pittsburgh

19. Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Pittsburgh

20. Indian Valley Housing Corporation, Souderton

21. Interfaith Housing Alliance of Frederick Maryland, with operations in South Central PA.

22. The Learning Lamp, Johnstown

23. Lifeline of Berks County, Inc , West Reading

24. Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, Inc., Reading

25. Maternal Child and Health Consortium of Chester County, West Chester 

26. Operation Outward Reach, Youngwood

27. PANO (through the National Institute)

28. Pathstone, PA Division

29. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, Harrisburg

30. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape

31. Real Alternatives, Harrisburg

32. Soroptimist International of the Americas, Philadelphia

33. Surrey Services for Seniors, Berwyn

34. Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Reading

35. Tri-City Life Center Inc., Lower Burrell

36. United Way of Berks County, Reading

37. United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, Carlisle

38. United Way of Westmoreland County, Greensburg

39. Ursuline Senior Services, Inc., Pittsburgh

40. Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports Inc., Greensburg

41. Westmoreland Community Action, Greensburg

42. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades,  Media

43. Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

44. Women's Resource Center of Delaware Valley, Wayne

45. Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Wilkes-Barre

46. YWCA Carlisle

47. YWCA Greater Harrisburg

48. YWCA of York

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