BBB and UW Partner on Accreditation of Laramie Nonprofits

For a second year, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming has collaborated with the University of Wyoming’s “Leadership in Practice” students, led by instructor Chris Haller, to support Laramie nonprofit organizations in navigating BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability evaluation program.

Haller is director of the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics in UW’s College of Business.

BBB representatives attended the “Leadership in Practice” class April 29 as student teams presented their findings, marketing suggestions and experience working with their assigned nonprofits to the class and the six nonprofits.

The partnership aims to facilitate the accreditation process for Wyoming nonprofits while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students and involves students working with selected nonprofits under Haller’s guidance. The 15-week course focuses on helping nonprofits through BBB’s standards covering governance, oversight, effectiveness, finances and solicitation information. Only nonprofits that meet all 20 standards achieve BBB charity accreditation.

This year’s “Leadership in Practice” students successfully accredited all six organizations they worked with, showcasing the effectiveness of the program in supporting nonprofits and educating future leaders in nonprofit management. The organizations are ARK Regional Services; Downtown Clinic; Laramie Interfaith; SAFE Project of Albany County; Stork Support; and Unaccompanied Student Initiative.

“We are proud of the students’ dedication and commitment to supporting nonprofits in achieving BBB charity accreditation, demonstrating the value of trust and transparency in the nonprofit sector through these impactful Laramie nonprofit organizations,” Haller says. “The collaboration between BBB and the University of Wyoming not only benefits nonprofits, but also provides students with practical experience in nonprofit evaluation, enhancing their skills and preparing them for future leadership roles.”

BBB’s Charity Report Program promotes high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public. The free program evaluates 501(c)3 charities that solicit the public for funding in northern Colorado and Wyoming against BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability -- a baseline set of best practices that review four key areas of interest to donors. These areas are financial management; fundraising and information materials; governance and oversight; and measuring effectiveness.

BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming launched the local charity accreditation program in spring 2014 and has accredited more than 130 local nonprofits. To learn more, visit the program page, call (970) 488-2033, or email Jennifer Hahnke, education and outreach manager, at jhahnke@wynco.bbb.org.

About UW’s Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics

The Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics is committed to developing the next generation of ethical leaders and organizations in Wyoming and beyond. The center’s higher purpose is to build principled leaders for a better tomorrow.