About Last 1
Last 1 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring trust in how outcomes are verified, reviewed, and reported. We govern accountability standards that emphasize evidence, consistency, and procedural fairness over narrative claims.
What We Govern
- Accountability standards
- Certification states
- Audit and review procedures
- Appeals and remediation processes
- Board oversight of standards integrity
What We Do Not Do
- Operate programs
- Deliver services
- Allocate or recommend funding
- Certify outcomes or effectiveness
- Rank organizations
Governance & Independence
Standards are governed by Last 1's board and standards governance processes. Enforcement is independent of funders, service providers, pricing, and capital interests.
This independence is structural, not aspirational. Last 1 does not accept funding contingent on certification outcomes, and board members with conflicts of interest recuse themselves from relevant decisions.
Leadership & Board
Last 1 is governed by its Board of Directors, which is responsible for the organization's fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, and integrity of its accountability standards. Board members serve without compensation. The Board operates under a conflict-of-interest policy that requires recusal from any matter involving a financial or personal interest.
Ryan Curry
Founder & President
Fernando Hernandez
Treasurer
Jose De la Cruz
Secretary
Standards Governance
Last 1's accountability architecture requires structural separation between three functions: rule authorship, rule approval, and adjudication of disputes. This separation is a core design principle of the standards, not an operational convenience.
Last 1 is currently in its founding period. During this period, the Board of Directors temporarily performs all three governance functions under documented recusal protocols and transparent decision logs. Before Last 1 certifies its first cohort of organizations, a separate Standards Council and an independent Review Authority will be established to fulfill the separation-of-duties requirement. Criteria for Standards Council and Review Authority membership will be publicly documented in advance of their formation.
This phased approach reflects a commitment to honesty about operational readiness. A standards body that claims separation it does not yet have contradicts its own thesis.
Timeline
Founded
Last 1 established to address the structural accountability gap in the social sector.
Standards Development
Formal accountability standards defined. Last 1.app launched as verification infrastructure.
Certification & Governance
Certification framework, audit procedures, and appeals processes formalized. Founding cohort preparation underway.