To download a PDF version of this factsheet, please click here.

Social accountability for not-for-profit aging-services organizations is more important now than ever before-and just as rewarding.

Social accountability is a measure of an organization's commitment to its mission, its stakeholders and society. It is also a process for planning, budgeting, reporting and evaluating these community benefits.

Social accountability programs that identify and alleviate unmet needs in the community are good for the community, good for mission, good for business and good for the people you serve.

Certainly your residents and clients are a huge part of the community you serve. However the services you provide to those outside your organization reinforce that community benefit and provide enhanced evidence of your not-for-profit status. Those in your external communities are the people who champion your work, volunteer for your residents and remember your organization when they need services for themselves or their family members.

Developing a social accountability program requires an investment of resources and time by your organization. However, don't despair about one more thing to do!

Taking the first step to plan your social accountability program doesn't require a huge amount of time. With only 60 minutes of your leadership, the program can get off to a great start.

Here's how you can create a plan for your organization's social accountability program in about an hour.

Think about how your social accountability program links to AAHSA Quality First.
A cornerstone of your social accountability program should be AAHSA Quality First-a philosophy of quality and a framework for earning public trust in aging services. Identify the connections between your social accountability program and the AAHSA Quality First 10 Elements of Quality (www.aahsa.org/qualityfirst).

Plan to call your board chair. Your social accountability program must have the support of the highest level of your organization's leadership.

Develop an agenda for a meeting of your senior staff. Your social accountability program must have the support of your organization's staff leaders. You will want to make assignments for these tasks:
(a) collecting your organization's documents: mission statement, tax exemption form, policies for providing discounted or charitable care
(b) defining the community you serve
(c) developing a list of unmet needs in your community
(d) developing an inventory of social accountability services currently provided
(e) identifying opportunities to make the organization's social accountability activities known


Develop an agenda for your board of trustees meeting. You'll want to report to the board on what your staff members discover in their research. Ask the chair to appoint a board committee to set priorities among the unmet needs identified.

Assign a team to implement the plan. After your staff has met and conducted its research, and your board has met, a team or steering committee should be established to handle your organization's social accountability program.

Tell the story about your organization's social accountability program. Based on your list of current and future programs to meet community needs, your next step will be to schedule meetings with your mayor, county social services agency and local newspaper. These folks should know about your organization's commitment to the community so they can most effectively recognize your good work.

Spread the word about your organization's social accountability program. Plan to include information about your social accountability program in your meetings with residents and clients, in your printed materials and on your Web site.

Social accountability is an ongoing program. Monitor progress monthly or quarterly. Make a commitment to discuss your organization's social accountability program at each board meeting. Include a routine report on how the plan is being implemented, obstacles encountered and financial impact experienced. Continue to keep your staff on track with social accountability, and keep telling your story!

Step back and look at your plan. Review your thoughts and notes. You should now have a plan to create and maintain your organization's social accountability program.

Disclaimer. This is intended to protect you, not to discourage you from developing a social accountability program. As with any transaction, implementing a social accountability program may involve certain state or federal laws. Your risk manager and legal counsel should review all documents to ensure compliance with these laws.

Need more information? See additional Social Accountability resource materials on the AAHSA Quality First Web site in the Resources — Community Involvement section.