Principles & Practices in Action

Every day, CT Nonprofits promotes the good work of its members and the fundamental values of quality, responsibility and accountability that govern the nonprofit community.

Each issue of our quarterly magazine, Nonprofit Advantage now highlights one organization that has improved their infrastructure and operations through the use of our Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Connecticut (Principles & Practices). Through this series, we aim to showcase our members’ great work and underscore the importance of knowing how to form, govern and manage a nonprofit in a manner that will earn the support and confidence of stakeholders, consumers and the public.

The Access Community Action Agency (Access)

Access is the federal and state designated anti-poverty agency serving primarily Windham and Tolland Counties. During the past year, Access used Principles & Practices during each Board meeting to facilitate ongoing dialogue and assessment of best practices within the organization. As part of the regular agenda, discussion was scheduled on one of the six principles to determine which standards were being met, and which need to be addressed. More >

American School for the Deaf

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) serves the deaf and hard of hearing community as a multifaceted innovative institution dedicated to the development of intellect and the enhancement of quality of life, producing educated and self-directed citizens. As ASD looked to update their strategic plan, they needed a roadmap to help guide the way. Their challenge was to develop a plan that would speak to all of the people they serve. More >

Community Partners in Action (CPA)

CPA strives to build community by providing services that promote accountability, dignity and restoration for people affected by the criminal justice system. Recently, CPA created and implemented a new Policy and Procedure Manual. At 157 pages long, this manual provides the policies and procedures for the function of all aspects of the organization, including: Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Staff Development, Records and Information Systems, Citizen and Community Participation, Program Evaluation, Information Technology, and Agency Development. More >

Latino Community Services (LCS)

LCS is the only Latino-led organization in the City of Hartford dedicated to providing services directly to clients through training grass-roots and faith-based organizations serving African Americans and Latinos on how to engage their communities to prevent the spread of HIV. Recently, LCS implemented a new personnel policies and procedures manual, a new employee orientation process, and a checklist for employee files. With the help of Principles & Practices, LCS strengthened their infrastructure and created a standardized process that helps supervisors be more effective in the management of current employees and the hiring process.  More >

YWCA Hartford Region

YWCA Hartford Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This organization is part of a legacy that places itself at the forefront of movements for racial justice, fair pay and equality for women. Over the course of four years, their Board worked with a consultant and established a governance committee in charge of instituting a framework to achieve maximum Board function. More >

Has your nonprofit implemented our Principles & Practices in an effort to improve the quality, responsibility and accountability of the organization? If so, please let us know! Contact Jennifer Peifer at CT Nonprofits at 860-525-5080, or email her at jpeifer@ctnonprofits.org.