We do this through the Standards for Excellence® program, also known as “the Standards.” The centerpiece of the Standards is a set of nonprofit operational guidelines called the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector.
PANO is accredited by the Standards for Excellence Institute and is a proud replication partner, which allows us to offer trainings and other programs to Pennsylvania nonprofits.
Since 1996, the Standards for Excellence® program has guided nonprofits in achieving high ethical standards, transparency, and strong governance. The 2025 update ensures that the program remains accessible, practical, and adaptable for organizations of all sizes and missions. Developed in collaboration with a diverse group of nonprofit leaders, the revised code and its expanded resources reflect the evolving needs of the sector.
Educational Resource Packets complement the Standards for Excellence Code Book by providing additional guidance, questions to ask and sample documents. The materials are recently updated and the new (3.0) documents will be linked on this page when you open each “Principal” of the Code. There are 49 documents in this collection of Educational Resource Packets.
Trainings are listed in the PANO calendar of upcoming events and recorded trainings are available for purchase in the PANO Store for PANO members and non-members. Some recent legal webinar recordings, which were produced in partnership with Nonprofit Issues and Don Kramer:
Intro to Standards for Excellence: Learn more about the 2025 updated Standards for Excellence in the recorded webinar Intro to the Standards
Leading with Purpose is an intensive, three-day training on the Standards for Excellence. You will work on completing the Self-Assessment Checklist with peer organizations with guidance and training from Pennsylvania Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultants. Designed for organizations that are considering or renewing a Standards Accreditation, Recognition or a Certificate of Completion.
Thank you to our friends at Strategy Solutions, Inc. for sponsoring the Standards for Excellence page.
The Standards for Excellence educational resource packets, recorded webinars and live trainings via Zoom are for PANO members and non-members. PANO members pay a significantly reduced rate.
become a memberNonprofits participate in the Standards for Excellence program to strengthen their organization and set it apart as a top performer in their field. Standards for Excellence demonstrates that an organization has accountability, transparency, and a commitment to best practices. Earning the “Seal of Excellence” includes an independent third-party expert review of the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices.
Requires strong policies in place for good governance and legal compliance, and calls for a well-defined mission with impactful programs.
Requires all the Basics requirements, plus the nonprofit must be inclusive of the community served, must hold strategic and effective board meetings, and must have programs that are attentive to strategic issues and trends in the community.
Requires all the Basics and Basics Enhanced requirements, plus the nonprofit must create long-range strategic and sustainability plans, build strong board performance, and outline steps to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion. Accreditation requires meeting all the benchmarks in the Standards for Excellence code.
Going through the process has many benefits for a nonprofit.
The nonprofit will:
The organization’s accreditation or recognition designations will automatically be noted in their Candid (formerly GuideStar) public profile and listed on the Standards of Excellence Institute website.
Standards for Excellence accreditation lets funders and donors know that the nonprofit’s precious resources are being stewarded wisely. The communities of Standards for Excellence accredited nonprofits can have confidence in the quality of their programs, their accountability and openness, and their commitment to best practices.
