Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Names New Co-Convener

(Washington, D.C., March 29, 2006) – The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, an independent group of leaders from the nation's charities and foundations, has appointed Lorie A. Slutsky, president of The New York Community Trust, as its co-convener. 

Ms. Slutsky has been a member of the Panel since it was created in October 2004. She will lead the group along with M. Cass Wheeler, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.

“The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector's work has already had a tremendous impact on charitable organizations,” said Ms. Slutsky. “I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Panel in whatever way I can be helpful.”

Ms. Slutsky replaces Paul Brest, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, who served as a co-convener at the Panel's creation and who will remain on the Panel as a member.

“The Panel is grateful to Paul for his extraordinary leadership over the past year and a half and is pleased that we will still benefit from his experience and immense knowledge of the sector,” said Mr. Wheeler.

The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector was convened by Independent Sector at the encouragement of the leadership of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.  Last June the Panel released a major report to Congress consisting of over 120 recommendations to strengthen the transparency, governance, and accountability of the charitable sector.

The Panel is continuing its work to develop recommendations on financial reporting standards, improvements to the Forms 990 and 990-PF, sample governance policies, and self-regulation by charitable organizations. 

To learn more about the work of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, visit www.nonprofitpanel.org. 

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The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector is an independent panel of 24 leaders from a wide range of the country's public charities and private foundations. Convened by Independent Sector at the encouragement of the leadership of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the Panel has worked since October 2004 to develop recommendations to improve the governance, ethical conduct, and oversight of nonprofit organizations. A Citizens Advisory Group, an Expert Advisory Group, and five specialized Work Groups assisted the Panel, which also invited input from charities and foundations of all sizes serving diverse missions and geographic locations. The Panel released a major report in June 2005 and plans to make further recommendations on self-regulation and other issues in a supplemental report.

Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the charitable community.