Toward a self-regulatory form of accountability in the voluntary sector

Non-profit organisations are private self-regulating bodies. As their social welfare role expands so the need for greater public transparency and accountability increases. This article concentrates on the relation ship between the sector and those stakeholders, beyond government and funding bodies, that are without formal levers of power. It draws upon three Ontario-based case studies that have experienced considerable change and share a strong commitment to self-regulatory accountability to their multiple stakeholders. It illustrates both the importance of particular organisational features and the immense difficulty and complexity of implementing the practice.