From lying to staff to conflicts of interest, unethical behavior in nonprofits abounds. Here the author outlines three particularly relevant markers of a responsible organization as well as four trends shaping future standards for nonprofits.

Should a board member who wants to be CEO resign from the board, or is taking a leave of absence sufficient? Is it an invasion of privacy to use a prospect research company to obtain information on a prospective donor? What is the best way to handle “closet bigots” in the office? And what should you do if concerns about your executive director’s charging unrelated expenses to grants fall on deaf ears? Our resident expert responds.

The Ethicist weighs in on clashing interests, divided loyalties, and heavy-handed foundation behavior.

According to our trusty Nonprofit Ethicist, “when it comes to ethics, if it looks bad, it is bad.” Does it look okay for the director of a social services organization to raise funds for other organizations through a side business? How about if a board chair puts himself in the running for the executive director position but doesn’t step down as chair? It looks, in the Ethicist’s words—“Bad. Bad. Bad.”

Is it a conflict of interest for a director to raise money for others through his business, since he is the chief fundraiser for the social service organization that employs him? This question and others are masterfully answered by Woods Bowman, Nonprofit Ethicist!

What does one do when the board chair decides to apply for the CEO position while remaining in place? This question and others are masterfully answered by Woods Bowman, Nonprofit Ethicist!

A concerned staff questions CEO compensation amid budget shortfalls.

An inebriated executive director takes things too far with a staff member, and more.

When your boss hires an underachieving family member, what do you do?

In the competitive marketplace, should you offer higher salaries to retain an eroding staff?

Making free with designated money and board members who overstay their welcome. This column will help you look at everyday issues through an ethical lens.

The Nonprofit Ethicist is in... What is your dilemma? Advice in this column includes the Ethicist’s take on an MSO’s board issues, and what to do with a bad case of founder syndrome.