Charities Review Council - FAQ: New Accountability Standards

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Home : Accountability Standards 2009 : FAQ: New Accountability Standards

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FAQ: New Accountability Standards

Why did you change the Accountability Standards?

How were the new Accountability Standards developed?

What changed with the new Accountability Standards?

When will the new Accountability Standards be implemented?

How is the transition process from the current standards to the new standards?

I was planning on doing the Accountability Wizard. Should I wait until next year?

What do I need to know if I want to go through the Accountability Wizard review under the current standards?

We just went through the Accountability Wizard. Will I have to go through the review again in 2010?

Our Accountability Wizard review expires in the first quarter of 2010 and I heard that the Charities Review Council will not be conducting reviews then. What should I do?

I heard that I’ll have more time to go through a review next year. Is this true?

Why did you change the Accountability Standards?
The current Accountability Standards, first introduced in 1998, have helped to strengthen the nonprofit sector and to mobilize informed donors over the past decade. Modifications, amplifications and additions to the current Accountability Standards are necessary to reflect economic, demographic, legal and societal changes that have occurred over that period.

How were the new Accountability Standards developed?
The Program Committee of the Charities Review Council’s Board of Directors brought together donors, institutional funders, academics, and nonprofit leaders to build a fair set of standards that are sensitive to a wide variety of constituents and will further strengthen an already vital and indispensable nonprofit sector. Before it was finalized, the Charities Review Council tested the new Accountability Standards extensively through focus groups and a series of town hall forums to ensure that they represent the reasonable expectations of an accountable nonprofit.

What changed with the new Accountability Standards?
What’s important to remember is that the Charities Review Council tested the new Accountability Standards extensively to make sure that they still represent the reasonable expectations of an accountable nonprofit. Some of the changes include: focusing more on the need for an engaged board, the importance of diversity, that infrastructure costs are necessary investments for a nonprofit balanced by a more accurate analysis of financial health, and limiting length of consecutive board terms.

When will the new Accountability Standards be implemented?
The Charities Review Council will start using the new Accountability Standards in Accountability Wizard reviews in mid 2010. The Council will also be re-launching a new Accountability Wizard at the same time.

How is the transition process from the current standards to the new standards?
The Charities Review Council will continue to conduct reviews under the current Accountability Standards until December 31, 2009. Reviews under the current standards will be maintained for the three-year life of the review. At the time of the organization’s renewal, it will be reviewed under the new Accountability Standards. All new reviews, starting in 2010, will be reviewed under the new Accountability Standards. As a result, all reviews will be transitioned to the new standards over a three-year period.

I was planning on doing the Accountability Wizard. Should I wait until next year?
It’s up to you. If you’re ready, the Charities Review Council will be conducting reviews with the current set of Accountability Standards through the end of 2009. But if you want to take advantage of the new Accountability Wizard and standards, then it makes sense to wait until next year.

What do I need to know if I want to go through the Accountability Wizard review under the current standards?
To be reviewed under the current Accountability Standards, your organization must complete its enrollment by December 31, 2009. That means your organization must have pre-enrolled, submited the required documents, and mailed the enrollment fee by December 31, 2009.

Once your organization is enrolled, you have 60 days to submit your online Accountability Wizard answers. Normally, the Charities Review Council is flexible with this deadline, but due to the implementation of the new Accountability Standards in mid 2010, you must submit your answers by February 28, 2010.

Please note that there will not be any fee refunds for enrolled organizations that do not submit Accountability Wizard answers by February 28, 2010.

We just went through the Accountability Wizard. Will I have to go through the review again in 2010?
No. Your review is good for three years from the date it was initially completed. When your review expires and you want to renew, you’ll be asked to meet these new Accountability Standards.

Our Accountability Wizard review expires in the first quarter of 2010 and I heard that the Charities Review Council will not be conducting reviews then. What should I do?
Because of the transition, the Charities Review Council will not be accepting new enrollments as of January 1, 2010 until the new Accountability Wizard is launched in the mid 2010. For organizations with reviews that expire during this period of time, the Charities Review Council will automatically extend your review by at least 90 days.

I heard that I’ll have more time to go through a review next year. Is this true?
With the new Accountability Wizard, you can set your own pace to complete your review and earn the Meets Standards seal. It could take you anywhere from two weeks (if you’re really motivated) or up to one year to complete. The Accountability Wizard is set up to provide a lot of technical assistance to you as you go through it. As always, Charities Review Council staff is also available to help you meet standards.