The Tiered Approach is a new feature of the Standards for Excellence voluntary certification program. This expanded approach creates three levels of recognition:
The Tiered Approach is a new feature of the Standards for Excellence voluntary certification program. This expanded approach creates three levels of recognition:
- Tier One: Essentials–Adherence to Basic Legal, Regulatory, and Governance Practices
- Tier Two: Enhanced–Enhancing the Foundations of Nonprofit Management and Governance
- Tier Three: Certified–Standards for Excellence® Seal Holder
Tier Three is exactly the same as the original, or traditional, certification process. So two new tiers have been added. The addition of Tier One: Essentials and Tier Two: Enhanced offers more organizations the opportunity for official recognition by the Standards for Excellence program. Instead of doing months or perhaps years of work to reach the Seal of Excellence, the Tiered Approach allows organizations to take the path towards excellence one step at a time.
What’s the difference between the tiers?
Tier One: Essentials attests that approved organizations are adhering to fundamental legal and regulatory rules and essential governance practices.
Tier Two: Enhanced requires participating organizations to expand management and governance best practices to an intermediate level.
Tier Three: Certified means the policies and practices of approved organizations encompass all 55 standards and imploys all the best practices in board governance and staff management. While qualifying organizations may promote compliance at each stage, only Certified organizations can display the Seal of Excellence.
How do the tiers fit together?
Each tier builds upon the previous one(s). All the items required in Tier One: Essentials are also required in Tier Two: Enhanced and Tier Three: Certified, and so forth. There is no wasted effort for applicants. For more information on what is included in each tier, please see Tiers at a Glance.
Download the Tiered Recognition Starter Kit (PDF)