IYF Standards of Excellence

Since 1994, the Irish Youth Foundation has been a partner organisation of the International Youth Foundation, headquartered in Baltimore, USA. In 2000, the Partners Network developed its own Standards for Excellence. Standards are yardsticks which organisations use to determine acceptable levels of behaviour. Their purpose is to provide organisations and their stakeholders with an objective measure by which to judge whether or not they are performing well.

In adopting these standards for excellence, the Irish Youth Foundation is communicating to its various 'publics' the organisational behaviours and attributes to which we agree to be held accountable. They also communicate our commitment to continuously improve our performance and to be transparent.

Standard 1: Governance

An independent, representative and voluntary Board of Directors governs the organisation.

Standard 2: Independence And Objectivity

The organisation determines its institutional priorities and partnerships based on an independent and objective assessment of needs and opportunities.

Standard 3: Legal and Non-Partisan Status

The organisation is legally incorporated, autonomous, and non-partisan.

Standard 4: Financial Management

The financial assets of the organisation are well managed; it applies generally accepted financial management principles.

Standard 5: Transparency

Accurate information about the organisation's mission, programme activities and finances is publicly available.

Standard 6: Management Structure And Performance

The organisation has a management structure and appropriate operating policies and procedures to serve its mission and utilize its resources well.

Standard 7: Professional Management

Competent and responsible paid employees operate and staff the organisation

Standard 8: Development Of Children And Youth

The organization supports the comprehensive and positive development of children and youth (ages 5 to 20) rather than being welfare-oriented or curative in its focus.

Standard 9: Effectiveness, Scale and Sustainability

The organisation supports a) programme effectiveness, b) programme scale, and c) organisational and programme sustainability.

Standard 10: Collaboration and Convening Role

The organisation works collaboratively with other child and youth organisations and other sectors to achieve its strategic goals.

Standard 11: Leadership and Participation In The Children And Youth Sector

The organisation is a leader in improving the situation and prospects of children and youth in Ireland.

Standard 12: Fundraising

Resource mobilisation activities are conducted in an ethical and fiscally responsible manner