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Guidelines and Principles

The Guidelines & Principles for Nonprofit Excellence (G&P) provide a roadmap for nonprofits to identify organizational strengths and challenges and to effectively action plan for the future. With state-specific tools for evaluating regulatory compliance, improving strategic planning, and refining operational evaluation, G&P helps organizations strengthen their operations and enhance their impact. These resources support sector growth and raise public awareness of the nonprofit sector’s contributions in Nebraska and Iowa. This core service offered through NAM guides you in the right direction.

Assess Your Organization

The Guidelines & Principles offer two assessments to help you evaluate your nonprofit’s performance and compliance. Any nonprofit interested in becoming stronger and more efficient may utilize these free assessments – you do not have to be a NAM member to access them.

Full Version
Legal-Only Version

A comprehensive tool to evaluate your nonprofit across 12 key areas of management. 

  • Identify strengths and areas for improvement

  • Overview of best practices

  • Automated report and insights

Start Full Assessment

A streamlined version focusing on legal compliance only for nonprofits.

  • Quickly assess regulatory compliance

  • Address the most critical gaps

  • Then, take Full Assessment as soon as possible

Start Legal Assessment

Important Note: You're encouraged to be completely honest with your responses. The results belong to your organization and will not be shared with funders, grantmakers, donors, or other organizations. Annual reporting on the Guidelines & Principles usage and progress is done in aggregate, ensuring your organization’s identity is protected. 

Explore More Resources

The Guidelines & Principles offer two assessments to help you evaluate your nonprofit’s performance and compliance. Any nonprofit interested in becoming stronger and more efficient may utilize these free assessments – you do not have to be a NAM member to access them.

12 Major Areas of Nonprofit Management
Members-Only Resource Center

Tools and insights to guide your journey across 12 critical management areas:

  • Free, state-specific tools for all nonprofits

  • Resources for governance, fundraising, and more

  • Enhance your organization’s impact

12 Major Areas

Guide your nonprofit's growth with exclusive information and time-saving templates:

  • Available only to NAM members - join today

  • Advanced tools for strategic planning and operations

  • Strengthen your nonprofit’s infrastructure

Resource Center

Be Recognized for Best Practices

When your organization is fully compliant with the legal items in the Guidelines & Principles, you may be awarded the Best Practices Partnership distinction. This highlights your commitment to legal compliance and operational excellence.

  • Showcase the Best Practices Partner badge, demonstrating your dedication to nonprofit excellence.

  • Demonstrate to the public, funders, and partners your adherence to the highest standards of compliance.

  • Gain visibility among other nonprofits committed to best practices in Nebraska and Iowa.

Not yet a NAM member? Join today to be eligible for Best Practices Partnership.

More about Guidelines & Principles

© 2024 Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. This work is adapted with permission from Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence © 2010 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and © 2008 Michigan Nonprofit Association. All rights reserved by their respective copyright holders.

The Guidelines & Principles for Nonprofit Excellence in Nebraska & Iowa have been generously supported by the Fund for Omaha through the Omaha Community Foundation. NAM extends its sincere thanks to the Colorado Nonprofit Association, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Montana Nonprofit Association for their ongoing contributions to this resource’s development and enhancement.

The Guidelines & Principles for Nonprofit Excellence in Nebraska & Iowa, provided by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM), are for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, financial, accounting, or tax advice. We recommend consulting an attorney, accountant, or financial advisor for such matters. NAM is not responsible for any damages, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or other losses, arising from the use of or reliance on this document, including personal injury, business interruption, loss of data or profits, or any other pecuniary loss, even if NAM has been informed of the possibility.
Guidelines & Principles is a core offering by NAM to the nonprofit community. If you still have questions after exploring the extensive G&P content, contact us.

©2024 Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. This work is adapted with permission from Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence © 2010 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and © 2008 Michigan Nonprofit Association. All rights reserved by their respective copyright holders.

The Guidelines & Principles for Nonprofit Excellence in Nebraska & Iowa have been generously supported by the Fund for Omaha through the Omaha Community Foundation. NAM extends its sincere thanks to the Colorado Nonprofit Association, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Montana Nonprofit Association for their ongoing contributions to this resource’s development and enhancement.