Organizational Core Values and Statement of Ethics

BoardSource's core values and statement of ethics were developed through a consultative process involving the organization's board of directors and staff at all levels. The principles reflected in this document constitute a values compass for board, staff, and other individuals working on behalf of the organization.

BoardSource recommends that all nonprofits, regardless of mission, size, or constituency, develop and disclose their organizational values and ethical standards, as these and other steps that heighten transparency demonstrate a commitment to community and to operating in a manner worthy of the public trust.1 In this spirit, we offer the following.

Core Values
BoardSource is committed to strengthening nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. BoardSource’s work is grounded in a fundamental belief that boards are critical to organizational success; they are the organization's governing body and mission keepers. In carrying out its mission, creating its products and services, and interacting with its members, clients, donors, and staff, BoardSource embraces the following values:

• Leadership
  BoardSource champions the importance of effective board leadership and action. It empowers boards with the knowledge of good governance practices. It encourages staff initiative and leadership, and strives to be a model nonprofit organization.
• Integrity
  BoardSource expects accountability from nonprofit leaders and from itself. BoardSource adheres to high ethical and professional standards in its work and relationships. It is fair and respectful in its interactions and conscientiously steward the resources entrusted to us.
• Excellence
  BoardSource strives to deliver high-quality content and strategies. BoardSource grounds its work and decisions in insights gained from experience, knowledge and data. It promotes teamwork and diversity of thought to leverage knowledge and skills to continually improve its products and services for the benefit of the nonprofit sector. 
• Impact
  BoardSource is committed to generating positive change and approach problems in a practical, creative, and flexible manner. BoardSource listens and understand the nature and needs of nonprofit organizations and create tailored solutions. It uses a collaborative approach with clients, partners, and donors to advance the practice of board governance and expand its reach.

Statement of Ethics
I. Mission
BoardSource was founded in 1988 and was organized for the charitable and educational purpose of improving the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their governance structures, including governing boards of directors/trustees, advisory groups, foundations, supporting organizations, etc. This mission, approved by the BoardSource board of directors, underpins all of our organization's programs, including membership, products, consulting, and training. Furthermore, those who work on behalf of BoardSource understand and are loyal to its mission.

II. Personal and Professional Integrity
BoardSource staff, affiliated consultants, and board members act with honesty and openness as representatives of our organization and in their interactions with one another. BoardSource promotes a working environment that values respect, candor, and fairness, and does so within the context of the core values listed above.

III. Governance
The BoardSource board of directors operates in partnership with our CEO to set the strategic direction for the organization, as well as oversee finances, operations, and policies as set forth in the organization's articles of incorporation and bylaws. The board regularly reviews the business plans, activity reports, financial statements, and policies of the organization to ensure alignment with its mission and goals, as well as compliance with nonprofit legal standards. Within the context of these responsibilities, the board seeks to demonstrate the principles of exceptional governance that we aim to instill in nonprofit organizations across the sector.

BoardSource operates under a number of key policies, including but not limited to the following: conflict of interest, investment and board-designated reserves, non-discrimination and anti-harassment, travel reimbursement, and whistleblower.

Please follow this link for more about BoardSource's board structure and practices.

IV. Legal Compliance
BoardSource and its professional advisors are knowledgeable of and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

V. Responsible Stewardship
BoardSource prudently manages its funds, whether they are contributed revenue, earned income, or investment income. The organization spends a reasonable percentage of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission and on administrative expenses to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, fundraising, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management and organizational sustainability. BoardSource does not accumulate excessive operating funds and maintains a responsible level of reserves to enable our organization to respond to philanthropic trends and opportunities to better serve the sector.

VI. Openness and Disclosure
BoardSource provides comprehensive, timely information to the public, media, donors, and other stakeholders, and is responsive to all reasonable requests for information. All public information about our organization fully and honestly reflects its policies and practices. Essential financial information about BoardSource, such as the Form 990 and audited financial statements, are posted on www.boardsource.org.

VII. Program Evaluation
BoardSource regularly reviews program effectiveness and employs mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs and business planning processes. The organization is committed to improving its effectiveness for the benefit of our members, clients, customers, and the sector overall, and has developed a comprehensive system for evaluating our work within the context of our theory of change and strategic plan.

VIII. Inclusiveness and Diversity
BoardSource maintains a spirit and practice of inclusiveness, and seeks staff, board members, and affiliated consultants who enrich our programmatic effectiveness through a diversity of experience, skills, cultures, and backgrounds. Our organization has a policy of equal opportunity for our staff and board, and does not discriminate in hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment, partnerships, and communities served.

IX. Fundraising
BoardSource is truthful and forthright in its fundraising communications, respects the privacy rights of donors, and expends funds in a manner consistent with donor intent. Our organization appropriately acknowledges and recognizes donors for contributions received, and all solicitation materials accurately represent the organization's mission, objectives, and activities, as do related financial, organizational, and program reports.

BoardSource's Board of Directors and senior staff will include this document in their periodic review of organizational strategic plans, bylaws, and policies to ensure that the content and spirit of the values and ethical standards described herein are reflected in our organization's goals, operations, and role in the nonprofit sector.

1. This statement of core values and ethics is based in part on the model Statement of Values and Code of Ethics for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations developed by Independent Sector.