Principles & Practices Online

Transparency & Accountability

man and laptopAs entities that serve the public, nonprofits have an ethical obligation to conduct their activities in a way that is accountable and transparent to their constituents. Nonprofits should engage in ongoing efforts to openly convey information to the public about their missions, activities and decision-making processes. This information should be easily accessible to the public and should create external visibility, public understanding and trust in the organization.  At the same time, an organization should recognize that not all information is appropriate to be shared with the public, especially sensitive or confidential information concerning ongoing transactions, personnel issues, donor identification, or potential or actual litigation.

Key aspects of Transparency & Accountability: