IRS Governance Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Organizations

In February 2008, the Internal Revenue Service published a list of recommended governance policies and practices for tax-exempt organizations. These new guidelines are consistent with Land Trust Standards and Practices and reflect many of the themes stressed by the IRS over the past year and incorporated into the revised Form 990, including transparency, financial oversight and accountability.

The guidelines address the following topic areas:

• Mission
• Organizational documents
• Governing body
• Governance and management policies
• Financial statements and Form 990 reporting
• Transparency and accountability

Internal Revenue Service Links

• Announcement of new Governance Guidelines

• Governance and Related Topics - 501(c)3 Organizations (PDF, 40KB)

• See the Governance Check Sheet Used by IRS Agents Auditing Nonprofits
  
  

Governance Resources from the Land Trust Alliance

See our curriculum series on nonprofit governance in The Learning Center or purchase curriculum books online.

Governance Guidelines from Independent Sector

In addition to Land Trust Standards and Practices, the guidelines complement the recommendations set forth in the Panel for the Nonprofit Sector’s “Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice,” released in October 2007.

• See the panel’s report