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 January 2010)

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. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA, Inc.

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

11. Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc., Reading

12. The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, Greensburg

13. The Crime Victims Center of Chester County

14. Crossing the Finish Line, Blue Bell

15. Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

16. Easter Seals of Eastern PA (Allentown)

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

18. Employment Opportunity & Training Center of NEPA, Scranton

19. The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Harrisburg

20. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pittsburgh

21. Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Pittsburgh

22. Indian Valley Housing Corporation, Souderton

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

24. The Learning Lamp, Johnstown

25. Lifeline of Berks County, Inc , West Reading

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

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

28. New Hope Ministries, Dillsburg

29. PANO (through the National Institute)

30. Pathstone, PA Division

31. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, Harrisburg

32. Phoenixville Healthcare Access Foundation

33. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape

34. Real Alternatives, Harrisburg

35. Soroptimist International of the Americas, Philadelphia

36. Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc., Charleroi

37. Surrey Services for Seniors, Berwyn

38. Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Reading

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

40. United Methodist Home for Children, Inc., Mechanicsburg

41. United Way of Berks County, Reading

42. United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, Carlisle

43. United Way of Westmoreland County, Greensburg

44. Ursuline Senior Services, Inc., Pittsburgh

45. Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports Inc., Greensburg

46. Westmoreland Community Action, Greensburg

47. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades,  Media

48. Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

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

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

51. YWCA Carlisle

52. YWCA Greater Harrisburg

53. YWCA York

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