COPD Foundation Accredited with the National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification

December 10, 2013

Washington, D.C., December 10, 2013 – The COPD Foundation today announces they have been accredited with the National Health Council (NHC) Standards of Excellence Certification, NHC’s adopted set of operating practices for maintaining organizational effectiveness and public stewardship—the highest accreditation an organization can receive in the voluntary health sector.

“Accreditation by the NHC is the highest quality measure that a health-related non-profit can achieve,” said Craig Kephart, Executive Director of the COPD Foundation. “This milestone gives our donors and constituency additional confidence that we are good stewards of their generous contributions.”

According to the NHC, the standards “cover the areas of governance, human resources, programs, fundraising, finance, accounting and reporting, and evaluation. These standards are completely aligned with, but more extensive than, the Standards for Charitable Accountability adopted by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (WGA). By looking for the Standards of Excellence logo on an organization’s website or materials, the public can identify patient organizations they can trust.”

NHC is a non-profit organization whose core membership includes the nation’s leading patient advocacy organizations, which control its governance. NHC brings together diverse stakeholders within the health community to work for health care that meets the personal needs and goals of people with chronic diseases and disabilities.

“We are pleased to join the ranks of voluntary health agencies that have been reviewed and passed the scrutiny necessary to achieve the NHC’s accreditation,” said Kephart.

About the COPD Foundation

The mission of the COPD Foundation (www.COPDFoundation.org) is to prevent and cure Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and to improve the lives of all people affected by COPD.