Here are some highlights from Flo Green’s presentation on Accountability and Integrity for Nonprofits at the recent CAN Conference:

• The political environment is changing:
  • More accountability.
  • More investigations.
  • More penalties.
• Public trust is declining:
  • Charities waste a great deal or fair amount of money – 66%.
  • Charities do a very good job of helping people – 29%.
  • Public wants charities to show that they are producing real, tangible and measurable results with which the public can identify.
• Board governance must be more active:
  • Board members must understand their roles and how to carry them out (including how to read financial reports).
  • Boards must set the ethical tone for their organizations.
  • Board must actively protect against fraud.
• Fundraising must be more open and transparent:
  • Organizations must comply with the rules and regulations.
  • Organizations must provide more information to donors.
  • Organizations must use gifts as the donors intended.
  • Organizations must be sensitive to the fact that many members of the public and many of our political leaders believe that abuse is widespread.
• Steps to take for greater accountability and integrity:
  • Comply with all applicable laws.
  • Define your organization’s values and principles.
  • Increase the organization’s visibility and transparency.
  • Have a whistleblower policy in place.
  • Ensure that nobody has special influence over the organization.
  • Ensure that the board members do not breach their responsibilities.
  • Have a conflict of interest policy applicable to board and staff members.
  • Make ethics and accountability part of your everyday conversations.