Checklist for a Planning Assessment for Nonprofit Organizations

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    Checklist for a Planning Assessment for Nonprofit Organizations

    Edited by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD

    (Be sure to read How to Use this Tool and Disclaimers before using information in this document.)

    This document suggests indicators regarding the total organization, organization’s programs and general
    approach to evaluation    .

    Also consider
    Related Library Topics

    Planning Regarding the Total Organization

    Rating
    *    		 Indicator Met Needs
    Work    		 N/A

    E

    		 1. The organization’s purpose and activities
    meet community needs.

    R

    		 2. The organization frequently evaluates, by
    soliciting community input, whether its mission and activities
    provide benefit to the community.

    R

    		 3. The organization has a value statement that
    is reflected in the agency’s activities and is communicated by
    its constituents.

    A

    		 4. The value statement includes standards of
    ethical behavior and respect for other’s interests.

    E

    		 5. The organization has a clear, meaningful written
    mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and people
    served.

    R

    		 6. The board and staff periodically review the
    mission statement and modify it to reflect changes in the environment.

    E

    		 7. The board and staff developed and adopted
    a written strategic plan to achieve its mission.

    A

    		 8. Board, staff, service recipients, volunteers,
    key constituents and general members of the community participate
    in the planning process.

    E

    		 9. The plan was developed by researching the
    internal and external environment.

    R

    		 10. The plan identifies the changing community
    needs including the agency’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
    and threats.

    R

    		 11. The planning process identifies the critical
    issues facing the organization.

    R

    		 12. The plan sets goals and measurable objectives
    that address these critical issues.

    E

    		 13. The plan integrates all the organization’s
    activities around a focused mission.

    R

    		 14. The plan prioritizes the agency goals and
    develops timelines for their accomplishments.

    A

    		 15. The plan establishes an evaluation process
    and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the
    achievement of goals and objectives.

    R

    		 16. Through work plans, human and financial resources
    are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a
    timely fashion.

    A

    		 17. The plan is communicated to all stakeholders
    of the agency — service recipients, board, staff, volunteers
    and the general community.
    Indicators ratings: E=essential; R=recommended;
    A=additional to strengthen organizational activities

    Planning Regarding the Organization’s Programs

    Rating
    *    		 Indicator Met Needs
    Work    		 N/A

    E

    		 1. Programs are congruent with the agency’s mission
    and strategic plan.

    A

    		 2. The organization actively informs the public
    about its programs and services.

    A

    		 3. Clients and potential clients have the opportunity
    to participate in program development.

    R

    		 4. Sufficient resources are allocated to ensure
    each program can achieve the established goals and objectives.

    R

    		 5. Staff has sufficient training and skill level
    to produce the program.

    A

    		 6. Programs within the organization are integrated
    to provide more complete services to clients.

    R

    		 7. Each program has performance indicators to
    insure that the program meets its goals and objectives.

    R

    		 8. Performance indicators are reviewed annually.

    A

    		 9. The agency networks and/or collaborates with
    other organizations to produce the most comprehensive and effective
    services to clients.
    Indicators ratings: E=essential; R=recommended;
    A=additional to strengthen organizational activities

    Planning Regarding the Organization’s
    Evaluations

    Rating
    *    		 Indicator Met Needs
    Work    		 N/A

    R

    		 1. Every year, the organization evaluates its
    activities to determine progress toward goal accomplishment.

    A

    		 2. Stakeholders are involved in the evaluation
    process.

    R

    		 3. The evaluation includes a review of organizational
    programs and systems to insure that they comply with the organization’s
    mission, values and goals.

    R

    		 4. The results of the evaluation are reflected
    in the revised plan.

    A

    		 5. Periodically, the organization conducts a
    comprehensive evaluation of its programs. This evaluation measures
    program outcomes.
    Indicators ratings: E=essential; R=recommended;
    A=additional to strengthen organizational activities

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    For the Category of Organizational Development:

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