BrightFocus Foundation Earns Maryland Nonprofits "Seal of Excellence"
CLARKSBURG, MD—The nonprofit BrightFocus Foundation announced today it has earned the 2013 Seal of Excellence, the highest level of recognition under the Standards for Excellence program developed by the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Maryland Nonprofits). The voluntary accreditation program, one of the most rigorous in the nation, promotes excellence and integrity in Maryland nonprofit organizations.
Stacy Pagos Haller, President and CEO of BrightFocus Foundation, and Scott Rodgville, BrightFocus Board Member receive the “Seal of Excellence” Award from Tom Hyatt, Board Chair, Maryland Nonprofits.The Seal of Excellence demonstrates that a nonprofit organization lives by the highest standards of ethics and accountability in their program operations, governance, human resources, financial management, and fundraising practices. To earn this certification, BrightFocus underwent a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process: reviewers assessed 55 different practices to determine that the organization meets the Standards of Excellence.
“We are truly honored to have earned this recognition, as Maryland Nonprofits has one of the most esteemed certification programs in the country,” said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. “It’s important that our donors and partners know we are good stewards of their resources in our efforts to find a cure for diseases of mind and sight.”
BrightFocus, formerly the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF), is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organization that funds cutting-edge, early-stage research and provides public education to help eradicate Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Recognizing BrightFocus Foundation and ten other organizations at a February 25 awards ceremony, Maryland Nonprofits Board Chair Tom Hyatt cited the groups’ hard work, demonstrating “a commitment to nonprofit excellence.” He acknowledged the tough standards of the certification program. In Maryland, home to 32,001 nonprofit organizations, only 75 nonprofit organizations currently hold the Seal certification.
Maryland Nonprofits is recognized by policy makers, media, opinion leaders, and the general public as an expert resource on organizational best practices.
BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. For more information, call 1-800-437-2423.