On October 3, 2019, the Pro Bono Counseling Project was honored at the Maryland Nonprofits Annual Conference for achieving re-accreditation through the Standards for Excellence Institute. The Standards for Excellence is a national code of ethics and accountability for nonprofit organizations that originated from Maryland Nonprofits.
PBCP initially achieved Standards for Excellence Accreditation in 2007, and has since gone through the re-accreditation process twice. The Board of Directors of PBCP have opted to participate in the Standards for Excellence accreditation process because it demonstrates transparency and accountability and it provides an ethical framework for governance and management. Staff and board agree that achieving re-accreditation positions PBCP to better serve the mental health needs of Marylanders with limited resources.
Participation in the Standards for Excellence Accreditation process is rigorous. Nonprofits are asked to complete a lengthy application, submit copies of policies, board minutes, personnel manuals, fundraising appeals, financial audits, and other supporting documentation. Standards for Excellence staff and peer reviewers examine the materials for completeness and compliance.
PBCP Board Member, Gil Bliss, and Executive Director, Amy Greensfelder, accepted the Re-Accreditation certificate on behalf of PBCP.
“We are honored to be recognized as a Standards for Excellence accredited organization,” said Greensfelder. “When I joined the organization, PBCP was already an accredited organization, which gave us a strong foundation. Upon expiration, going through the re-accreditation process with PBCP gave the board and staff a structured opportunity to review the organization’s policies and procedures and update them as needed. The board was integral in ensuring that the organization was compliant with the current standards.”
Established in 1991, the Pro Bono Counseling Project’s mission is to ensure that Marylanders with limited resources requesting mental health care are provided access to volunteer licensed mental health professionals and other necessary supportive services. If you’d like to support PBCP, please click here to make an online, tax-deductible gift.
