We Hold Ourselves to Higher Standards
La Crosse Area Community Foundation is accredited with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®—the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. National Standards says that we meet the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our community that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in the greater La Crosse area.
National Standards is not mandatory. We chose to go above and beyond by affirming our commitment to excellence and accountability. Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place.
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations. For more information about National Standards, visit www.cfstandards.org.
Transparency is Important to Us
La Crosse Area Community Foundation has adopted numerous policies and procedures to guarantee how we conduct our business is not only legal, but ethical. Some of our policies and procedures are explained below.
Records retention. The destruction and/or retention of financial and other transactional records is important. Our board has adopted a policy to ensure we maintain a record of our activities as required by law.
Finance and Investment Committee. A committee of board members with strong backgrounds in accounting and finance work closely with our staff and auditors to oversee accounting and financial reporting as well as internal controls. This committee also reviews Foundation investment performance quarterly, reviewing managers and recommending changes in strategy and direction as necessary.
Whistleblower policy. Board members, committee members, staff and other vendors are required to report unethical, dishonest or fraudulent activity. These complaints will be thoroughly investigated, and the reporter will be protected from retribution.
990 and audit. The Foundation completes a 990 and independent audit each year. These documents are available for public inspection on the Financial Oversight page.
Conflicts of interest. Each year, our board members, committee members and staff are required to sign a conflict of interest statement, which discloses any potential conflicts they may have with the Foundation. Further, board and committee members are not allowed to vote on items in which they have a known conflict.
Confidentiality. Board members, committee members and staff are required to sign a confidentiality agreement each year. Confidential information is defined as any information or material which is proprietary or which is not generally known outside of the Foundation – including, but not limited to, financial and marketing data, donor or grantee information and other information that may be deemed sensitive.