Best Practices - Governance

Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations (2007)
Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, convened by Independent Sector
For the first time, charities and foundations reflecting a broad cross-section of the American nonprofit community have come together to develop principles of ethical conduct, accountability, and transparency that they aspire to and encourage all organizations to follow.

Principles Workbook: Steering Your Board toward Good Governance and Ethical Practice
Independent Sector in partnership with BoardSource
This workbook includes 33 recommendations to help organizations of all sizes and missions as they work to improve their operations. The Principles Workbook will make it easier for boards of directors and staff leaders to assess the areas where their organizations are doing well and where there is room for improvement. It distills the core concepts in each of the 33 principles and suggests points for board and staff to discuss about their current practices.

Strengthening Transparency, Governance, Accountability of Charitable Organizations (2005)
Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, convened by Independent Sector
The panel's comprehensive series of recommendations is intended to strengthen the ability of the nation's 1.3 million charities and foundations to serve as responsible stewards of the public's generosity.