Teaching Paper: Ethical Decision-Making Templates – A Structured Approach for Nonprofits

This Teaching Paper introduces a structured Ethical Decision-Making Template tailored for nonprofits. The six-step process—identifying issues, gathering information, evaluating alternatives, making decisions, implementing actions, and monitoring outcomes—ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with organizational values. Grounded in established frameworks by Bryson, Drucker, and Patton, the template combines academic rigor with practical applicability. A case study illustrates its use in a nonprofit context, while reflection questions guide practitioners in refining ethical governance.