The Standards for Excellence® Institute continues to build a national network of qualified nonprofit consultants licensed to provide training, consulting, and support on the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. The Standards for Excellence® Institute is a program of Maryland Nonprofits.
Standards for Excellence® Institute Licensed Consultants are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to work with organizations across the country interested in learning about, implementing, and becoming accredited in the Standards for Excellence Program. The program was recently updated to ensure that it strengthens all nonprofits’ ability to achieve their missions, regardless of their size, location, or focus area.
The Licensed Consultant Training is an exclusive professional development initiative available annually to a limited number of qualified applicants. To participate in this three-day licensing seminar, you must successfully complete an application and screening process, including a review of your professional experience. Applications are now open for the 2026 Licensed Consultant Training Program.
Tiana Massaquoi of the Keep Still Cares Foundation described the training:
“This has been one of the best learning experiences I’ve had. I’m truly honored to have been a part of such an incredible class of professionals, practitioners, and servants.”
Yurani Sandoval of Women Palante stated:
“The Licensed Consultant Training expanded my expertise and equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and tools to help nonprofits enhance their accountability, strengthen their governance, and adopt proven best practices.”
Training information
Dates: November 16-18, 2026
Location: The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Rates: Standards for Excellence and Maryland Nonprofits members – $2,470;
Nonmembers – $2,620. (Tuition fees do not include travel and lodging.)
Meals: Breakfasts, lunches, and one evening networking dinner included
More information about training
Application information
Deadline: Apply by July 7, 2026.
Notification: Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by August 26, 2026.
Start your application now!
During the training, you will learn:
- background on the importance of self-regulation for the nonprofit sector;
- the specific content contained within the Standards for Excellence guidelines;
- facilitation and training skills to implement Standards for Excellence consulting into your practice;
- how to use take-home tools to help assess organizational alignment with the Standards for Excellence Code.
As a participant in the program, you will get:
- access to our Licensed Consultant Portal, containing an extensive collection of training and educational tools, three full electronic sets of our 49 educational resource packets, and 20 copies of the Standards for Excellence Codebook;
- two-year membership in the Standards for Excellence Institute;
- two-year license to provide Standards for Excellence consultation;
- listing in our exclusive, nationwide Licensed Consultant online directory.
Take your nonprofit consulting services to the next level!
