About the Standards for Excellence in Pennsylvania

The Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector® 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 components. 

In 2002, Maryland nonprofits received a grant supported in part from the Carnegie Corporation to replicate the program in five states. To date, there are 10 Replicating Partners offering the Standards for Excellence® Program in 7 states.

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/.

To ensure strong oversight, implementation and development of the Standards for Excellence® program, PANO established the Standards Committee, an independent Committee of the Board. Since September 2002, PANO has been offering Introductory Sessions, Clinic Series and the voluntary Certification process to nonprofits statewide in an effort to strengthen the capacity of participating organizations and the sector as a whole. (See Participation Process).

PANO offers 23 Educational Resource Packets for organizations interested in implementing various portions of the Standards for Excellence®. The packets include information on the importance of implementing specific Standards, justification for the Standards, best practices associated with the issue, model procedures and sample policies. PANO members are able to access 22 of the packets at no cost; nonmembers are able to purchase individual packets for a nominal fee. For a description of each packet, please click HERE. For instructions on how to download/purchase packets, visit our Member Tips page at: http://www.pano.org/member_tip.php.  

Map of Regions where Organizations are Certified

List of Certified Agencies
(As of June 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 Community Foundation, St. Marys

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

19. Employment Opportunity & Training Center of NEPA, Scranton

20. The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Harrisburg

21. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pittsburgh

22. Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Pittsburgh

23. Indian Valley Housing Corporation, Souderton

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

25. The Learning Lamp, Johnstown

26. Lifeline of Berks County, Inc , West Reading

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

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

29. New Hope Ministries, Dillsburg

30. PANO (through the National Institute)

31. Pathstone, PA Division

32. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, Harrisburg

33. Phoenixville Healthcare Access Foundation

34. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape

35. Real Alternatives, Harrisburg

36. Soroptimist International of the Americas, Philadelphia

37. Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc., Charleroi

38. Surrey Services for Seniors, Berwyn

39. Threshold Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Reading

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

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

42. United Way of Berks County, Reading

43. United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, Carlisle

44. United Way of Westmoreland County, Greensburg

45. Ursuline Senior Services, Inc., Pittsburgh

46. Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports Inc., Greensburg

47. Westmoreland Community Action, Greensburg

48. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades,  Media

49. Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

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

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

52. YWCA Carlisle

53. YWCA Greater Harrisburg

54. YWCA York

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