"Service and Experience"

This statement of Standards of Membership reflects decades of service and experience by Member Firms, and has been carefully formulated to address the best interests of our not-for-profit client organizations and their extraordinarily generous donor constituencies.

The philanthropic community recognizes the high ideals, competence, and integrity of the individuals who comprise the Member Firms. Through years of experience, these professionals have honed their skills and achieved acknowledged leadership in strengthening and expanding the philanthropic potential of their clients.

Standards of Membership in Giving Institute are rigorous and include the completion of a letter of intent and a subsequent formal application. The review process requires or examines:

• Sponsorship by two Member Firms of Giving Institute.
• Current and past client engagements.
• Proportion of client type to constitute at least ninety-percent not-for-profit organizations.
• Past billing practice that complies with a fee for service structure and excludes a commission or percentage method.
• Experience and longevity of the firm and its senior staff.
• Competency of the firm's management and financial stability.
• Achievement and sustainment of exemplary standards of performance as documented by current and former clients.
• Demonstration of ethical conduct in client practices.