The Dayton Foundation has just received word from The Council on Foundations that it has been nationally certified for its organizational and financial practices and has successfully met 43 National Standards set forth for U.S. Community Foundations.

Just 4 other community foundations of the 78 in Ohio and 1 in 7 community foundations nationally (there are over 700 U.S. community foundations) have been accredited to date with the Council on Foundations certification.

The Council on Foundations, located in Washington, D.C., is the premier international organization for both community and private foundations. The Council on Foundations and leaders of the community foundation field created the National Standards to aid community foundations in adherence to a high standard of legal, ethical and effective operational practices that demonstrate transparency and financial responsibility.

“This is good news for The Dayton Foundation and for the Greater Miami Valley community. This rigorous, more than year-long process the Foundation went through to receive this certification is important not only for us, but for all community foundations to adopt and maintain high standards for serving donors and their communities,” said Michael M. Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation. “We are committed to affirming the honesty and integrity of community foundations through the voluntary certification process and feel strongly about being part of this important, national effort.”

Just this fall the Foundation announced it had earned the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations Standards for Excellence certification for its rigorous adherence to 56 standards for accountability and ethical business practices—one of only eight nonprofits statewide who had earned this accreditation at that time.

Intended both as a blueprint for internal organizational development and as a tangible set of benchmarks for external assessment of performance, the Council on Foundations’ 43 National Standards address 6 key areas of community foundation operations:

1. Mission, Structure and Governance, including standards defining board accountability, compensation, independence, fiduciary responsibility and representation of the community.

2. Resource Development, including parameters for administration of funds, disclosures to donors and commitment to building long-term resources for varied community issues and causes.

3. Stewardship and Accountability, covering prudent investment and management of funds, transparent record-keeping, use of funds for their intended purpose, annual audits, and public availability of financial information, including standards related to due diligence and community responsiveness.

4. Grantmaking and Community Leadership, including standards related to broad and open grantmaking programs, due diligence, and responsiveness to changing community needs.

5. Donor Relations, encompassing guidelines for informing, educating and involving donors in responding to community needs.

6. Communications, including openness to public scrutiny and frequent communications about activities and finances.

In order to achieve Confirmation of Compliance with the National Standards, community foundations must undergo an extensive review of their organizational and financial policies and procedures. The peer review process is performed by trained, experienced community foundation practitioners and includes an on-site assessment of the foundation’s policies and operations.

The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is the regional community foundation that serves the multi-county Greater Miami Valley. The Foundation helps donors find the best and most tax-wise ways to achieve their charitable objectives, invests and manages donors’ charitable funds, and provides grants and leadership to grow philanthropy and help meet present and future community needs. For more information about The Dayton Foundation and its services, you may visit www.daytonfoundation.org.