Resources For Accountability and Financial Management in the Voluntary Sector
Governance
Governance means responsible management by an organization's trustees or board of directors. Boards aim to further the organization's mission and maintain financial viability, with an eye kept on the needs and desires of the wider community.
Trustees are ultimately responsible not only for ensuring the organization is furthering its ends (meeting its mission), but also that it is using proper means to do so.
Program Evaluation
Program evaluation involves showing the results of an organization's work. One popular tool to conduct program evaluation is a results-based framework, which requires the organization to answer for something (e.g., its program outcomes) and to someone (e.g., its board). This involves reporting performance or conduct to some party; justifying the performance or conduct; and, taking responsibility for the consequences. A report entitled Assessing Performance: Evaluation Practices and Perspectives in Canada's Voluntary Sector (http://www.vserp.ca/pub/VserpReport.pdf) was published by the Voluntary Sector Evaluation Research Project (VSERP) in 2003, and provides insights and recommendations for program evaluation methods. In addition, A Review of Evaluation Resources for Non-Profit Organizations is a handbook that explores different evaluation models for voluntary sector organizations. This publication can be found at http://www.nonprofitscan.ca/pdf/library/2971=gd44pdf.pdf.
Financial Disclosure
A voluntary sector organization's stakeholders are interested in seeing and understanding the finances of the organization. Charities and non-profits already prepare audited annual reports, which are typically published and made available, upon request, to stakeholders. The annual report provides comprehensive information about how funds are spent. For charities and non-profits, there are additional requirements for disclosure regulated by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's (CCRA) Charities Directorate. For specific requirements, please see the CCRA website at: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/charities/menu-e.html.
This
site uses PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required for viewing.
Click the image to download it now.
