Although effective organizational practices are critical to third sector organizations, there is little understanding of how such effectiveness is created and maintained within third sector organizations. The extant literature documents models and correlates of third sector effectiveness but does not examine the endemic issues facing third sector organizations nor their responses to those issues. This study examines the issues within a highly effective third sector organization.The purpose of the study was to examine how an organization has been able to establish and maintain exemplary service within a rapidly changing political, social, and economic climate. The case study used qualitative methodology and ethnographic techniques. Data collection involved internal and external constituent interviews, observations, and document reviews.The findings identified the importance of ten characteristics or processes for the organization in the delivery of exemplary service. They are: respect, goal congruence, flexible work groups, staffing, sense of purpose, the management of change, sensitivity to people and issues, and the organizations settings, process, empowerment, leadership, and personal care. Additional findings identified important organizational issues that have not been brought to closure by the organization or that have not been identified as issues by it but that were seen as issues by the researcher. They are: historic relationships, the voluntary nature of third sector organizations, the need for external reviews, and the use of contract staffing.