Standards for Excellence® Application Information

For information about applying for the Seal of Excellence for nonprofits outside of the state of Maryland, click here.

As part of the Standards for Excellence® program, Maryland Nonprofits offers a voluntary, peer-review certification program for nonprofit organizations that wish to demonstrate that they are living up to the Standards for Excellence®. To participate, organizations submit an application, an application fee, and requested supporting documents which show their adherence to the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. Organizations approved by a team of trained peer reviewers will be awarded a Standards for Excellence® Seal of Approval.

Getting Started

Compiling Materials
Turning in the Application

Application Fees
Licensing Fees

Application Deadlines

Only those organizations that have successfully completed the certification program are licensed to use the Standards Seal of Excellence®.

Getting Started

Request a copy of the Application Starter Kit from the Standards staff, or download a copy below.  (contact information will be requested prior to downloading)

Application Starter Kit Materials
Cover Sheet
Deadlines 2008
Benefits of Becoming Certified
Application Review Process
Tips for Applying
Plan of Action
List of Educational Resource Packets
Self-Assessment Checklist
List of Certified Organizations
Sample Funder Letter to Underwrite Costs
Checklist Before Applying

Application Form

Please note, a few changes have been made to the 2008 Application Form. View the changes>>

Attend a Maryland Nonprofits Standards for Excellence® Application Clinic. The Clinic will help you draft policies and will provide resources for compiling materials. For information on an upcoming clinic series click here to view the current Maryland Nonprofits training calendar.

Create a board/staff committee of people willing to make a commitment to completing the application.  Appoint one or two people to coordinate the Standards for Excellence® process.  Develop a work plan outlining when you would like to get certain sections completed, when the committee will meet to discuss sections, and when the board can meet to vote on certain policies. Organize the work plan keeping in mind that most policies need board approval. Allow plenty of time for each section and be flexible to making changes in the work plan.

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Compiling Materials

Start with the Standards with which you know you comply. Get the easy ones out of the way.
Use your resources. Contact board members with specific areas of expertise who may be able to draft policies or collect materials. Request educational packets from Maryland Nonprofits to help you with subject areas that may be more difficult. The educational packets include a comprehensive explanation of a specific standard or group of standards, sample forms and policies, and related articles. Organize materials in a binder as each section is completed.

Maryland Nonprofits will provide set of tabs, for a nominal $10 fee, to organize your application materials in a binder. The tabs are pre-printed to correspond with each section of the application. Order a set of tabs>>

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Turning in the Application

Check off completed items at the checklist at the end of the application to make sure you have all of the appropriate materials. Be sure to turn in five (5) copies of the application to Maryland Nonprofits Baltimore or Silver Spring office by the deadline listed below.

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Application Fees

$400 for members ($250 for members with revenues of less than $300,000)
$1,500 for nonmembers

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Licensing Fees

The Standards for Excellence® Seal will be awarded for three years based on licensing guidelines governing the Seal. In addition certified organizations will pay a licensing fee during the second and third year of the licensing period. Organizations will reapply to be recertified after the initial three years and thereafter every five years. 

$150 for members

$750 for nonmembers

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Application Deadlines for 2008
June 2, 2008
October 31, 2008

Please contact the Standards staff if you have any additional questions.