Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations (2007)
The Guide represents the first time that 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.
The Guide outlines 33 practices designed to support board members and staff leaders of every charitable organization as they work to improve their own operations. The Panel encourages these leaders to examine the Principles carefully and determine how best they should be applied to their own operations.
The Panel incorporated a careful review of more than 50 self-regulation systems, counsel from a diverse committee of experts, and significant feedback from the field in the development of these Principles. The Reference Edition of the Principles includes legal background for each Principle, studies on self-regulation systems, and a glossary of terms. An Executive Summary is available for those who want a brief overview of the Principles. Printed copies of both reports are also available upon request from the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector website.
Foundation Self-Dealing:
Foundation News & Commentary
That's the Ticket by Jane C. Nober
"Accepting and using tickets and other tangible benefits of more than minimal value raises questions for foundation managers." This article looks at what the tax code rules say is acceptable. From the May/June 1998 edition.
http://www.foundationnews.org/CME/article.cfm?ID=1418
Council Columns
That's Still the Ticket by Andrew C. Shulz
This was written in the summer of 2004 as a follow-up to the article "That's the Ticket" (link above).
http://www.cof.org/Action/content.cfm?printerfriendly=no&itemnumber=1220&gmdebug=no&pf=1
Foundation Self-Dealing: What Every Grantmaker Should Know
Minnesota Council on Foundations
From the April/May 2004 edition of MCF Notes, addressing the basics of self-dealing.
http://www.mcf.org/publictrust/wegsk_selfdealing.htm
Focus on Foundations (PDF)
A Primer on the Self-Dealing Rules for Private Foundations
In the fall 1997 edition of Focus on Foundations, the article reviews the basic rules regarding self-dealing.
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Self-Dealing: A Concise Guide for Foundation Board and Staff
This guide covers the basics of foundation self-dealing, including key definitions, common problem areas, exceptions and penalties, and recommended steps for handling self-dealing issues.
http://www.givingforum.org/policy/accountability-selfdealing.html
Taxes on Self-Dealing
Internal Revenue Service
http://www.irs.gov/charities/foundations/article/0,,id=137678,00.html
Tread Carefully When Sharing Board Members With Grantseekers
Council on Foundations
A summary of self-dealing issues that may arise when foundation board members also serve on the boards or staffs of grantseeking charities.
http://www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentID=172
Should Your Foundation Cover Travel Expenses of Family Members?
Council on Foundations
Guidance on the legal and ethical considerations regarding a foundation paying travel and related expenses for children and other family members who are not currently board members or staff.
http://www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentID=3204
Megan Wentworth
For Additional Resources, please see the Self-Dealing section of the Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington website:
