Organizational Structure
ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
  • Determine the organization's mission and purposes
  • Select the executive staff
  • Provide ongoing support and guidance for the executive
  • Ensure effective organizational planning & adequate resources
  • Manage resources effectively
  • Monitor GLP's programs and services
  • Enhance the organization's public image
  • Assess overall GLP board, staff and project performance

PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY:

GLP shall provide, on request, an annual report that includes information about its purpose, activities, finances and governance; also the application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations.

MEMBERSHIP/COMPENSATION OF THE GOVERNING BODY

GLP shall have an active governing body that meets at least three times a year, with a majority of its members present on average.

GLP shall have an independent governing body whose compensated members constitute no more than 45% of the total voting membership.

GLP's independent governing body shall have no members who are engaged in business transactions in which they have material conflicting interests.

USE OF FUNDS:

  • A reasonable percentage (at least 50%) of total income shall be applied to program activities.
  • A reasonable percentage (at least 50%) of public contributions shall be applied to program activities.
  • Fundraising costs should not exceed a reasonable percentage (no more than 35%) of public contributions.
  • Total fundraising and administrative costs shall be reasonable and not exceed 50% of total income.

Financial & Legal Documents

* Public status means that no public charity is controlled by one, or a few, wealthy donors. It requires all charities that seek public status to "pass a public support test." The requirement is met by 33 1/3 percent support test (where the charity receives at least one-third of its "financial support" from a combination of the "general public" and public charities and government) or, alternatively, a "facts and circumstances" 10 percent test (i.e. it receives at least 10% from these sources and meets various other tests, for example, it has a broadly representative board of directors, and actively looks for money). The percentages are calculated by using total support as the denominator and public support as the numerator.