Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice Resource Center

The Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice outlines 33 principles of sound practice for charitable organizations and foundations related to legal compliance and public disclosure, effective governance, financial oversight, and responsible fundraising. The Principles should be considered by every charitable organization as a guide for strengthening its effectiveness and accountability. The Principles were developed by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector in 2007 and updated in 2015 to reflect new circumstances in which the charitable sector functions, and new relationships within and between the sectors.

This Resource Center is the gateway to online tools and resources that support charitable organizations in their implementation of the Principles. The Resource Center includes the full text of each of the 33 Principles, including explanation and rationale, key questions organizations should consider, and legal background information from the Legal Reference Edition of the Principles, as well as a database of more than 300 online resources from across the sector that support organizations in the implementation or adaptation of recommendations made in the Principles.

Principles digital resources support your organization’s efforts to understand and implement recommendations made in the 33 Principles.

• Download your copy of the Principles guide.
• Download your copy of the Principles reference edition.
• Share the Principles One-pager.
• Learn about state laws governing charitable organizations for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Read the Keeping It Ethical Blog Series.

Click on any of the Principles below to get the full text and a list of related online resources.