Outside experts say there’s an easy way to prove that a deal is in the best interests of a nonprofit: competitively bid out the work so that executives and board members can judge it against other offers. And have open, transparent conversations as a board about any and all perceived conflicts.

“We would recommend that you go out to bid,” said Anne Hindery, CEO of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. “It doesn’t mean you wouldn’t use the same company. But you want to have that process to let sunshine in.”