We are proud to announce our reaccreditation from the Standards for Excellence Institute on Tuesday at the 2024 Maryland Nonprofits Annual Conference. The Arc is one of only four Arc chapters achieving this esteemed accreditation, which recognizes organizations that uphold the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, and operations.

“This recognition is not only about the transformative work we do; it’s about how we do our work and our dedication to ethical and effective practices across all levels of our enterprise,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc.  “Our reaccreditation by the Standards for Excellence Institute reflects the tireless efforts of our team, the leadership of our Board, and the support of our community partners.”

The Standards for Excellence accreditation, first awarded to The Arc in 2008, reflects an enterprise-wide commitment to rigorous standards across areas essential to nonprofit performance. Each reaccreditation cycle evaluates organizations on six major areas, including Mission, Strategy and Evaluation; Leadership; Legal Compliance and Ethics; Finance and Operations; Resource Development; and Public Awareness, Engagement, and Advocacy. Accreditation signifies that The Arc not only meets but exceeds the legal benchmarks for nonprofit operations, driving increased public support, financial stability, and community trust. The current reaccreditation highlights The Arc’s sustained dedication to these principles, providing a structured foundation for continued excellence in serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and communities throughout Maryland.