Standards for Excellence Certification

Benefits | Roadmap | Assistance | Get Started! | Certified Organizations

Our Nonprofits Have Standards You Can Trust.

Certification is an opportunity for a nonprofit to demonstrate its honesty, integrity, efficiency and accountability.  This program of rigorous peer-review examines an organization's internal practices for compliance with all 57 of the Louisiana Standards for Excellence.  A panel of independent, trained peer-reviewers assesses the applicant organization's practices and determines if they have met the Standards. 

Benefits

Certification distinguishes an organization in the eyes of funders, supporters and the public, strengthens its board and staff and increases its capacity to serve its mission.  Certified organizations earn the right to use the Seal of Excellence, a symbol that donors and the public alike can trust. 

Certification Roadmap

1. Standards Overview Session
   Become familiarized with the specific benchmarks in the Standards for Excellence
2. Capacity Building Plan
   Identify the changes your organization needs to make to comply with the Standards and develop a plan for implementing them.
3. Application Clinic and Workgroups
   Learn the process of applying for Certification and begin gathering your materials
4. Letter of Intent
   Formalize the committment of your staff and board to seek Standards Certification
5. Binder Submission
   Turn in your application for initial staff review, corrections, and then submit your finalized binder
6. Peer Review
   Have your application binder examined by trained nonprofit leaders
7. Standards Compliance Committee
   Peer reviewer findings are reviewed and ruled on, granting your organizations Certified status
8. Certification!
   Congratulations!  Proudly display the Seal of Excellence.

Assistance

LANO works with its members to implement the Standards for Excellence in their organizations by offering educational materials, training sessions and one-on-one technical assistance.  LANO is dedicated to helping nonprofits prepare for and achieve Certification.

Get Started!

If your organization is ready to seek Certification, check our Calendar of Events for upcoming Standards Overviews and Application Clinics, or contact Jawan Ross, jawan@lano.org or 225-929-LANO (225-929-5266).

Certified Organizations

In 2004, LANO became the first nonprofit organization in the state of Louisiana to receive the Seal of Excellence from the National Standards for Excellence Institute. Since then, 54 outstanding nonprofit organizations have been certified under the Louisiana Standards for Excellence.