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Nonprofit Excellence Program - 7AP Organizational Assessment

This organizational assessment is based on CNE's 7 Actionable Principles for a Strong Social Sector, a framework that encourages learning and growth. Completion of this assessment is required before completing the Nonprofit Excellence Program application.

The questions below are intended to foster reflection and identify areas of strength and areas that need more support. Assessment responses will not be evaluated as part of the grant application review, but the grant application does include a question that invites your reflections from taking the assessment.

1.Does your budget reflect strategic priorities that are informed by the communities you serve?(Required.)
2.Does your budget process and policies ensure incorporation of all necessary expenses and investments, for each key function of the organization including programs and operations, and identification of cost-saving opportunities?(Required.)
3.Does your budget reflect diversified, long-term, predictable funding?(Required.)
4.Do you use financial projections to regularly monitor budget performance, compare projected to actual expenses, and budget for appropriate cash reserves?(Required.)
5.Have you developed a financial reporting system and created financial health metrics of important indicators?(Required.)
6.Do you communicate financial health holistically, sharing the unique context of your work and the community you serve?(Required.)
7.Do you identify and build relationships with funders whose grantmaking priorities align with your work?(Required.)
8.Do you create a resource development plan that staff and board actively participate in?(Required.)
9.Do you build relationships that leverage a network of community partners, clients, and the community served to generate broad and inclusive support, including time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ties?(Required.)
10.Do you foster awareness and understanding of the construct of race, existing inequities, and equity and inclusion principles with organization-wide dialogue, educating, and training?(Required.)
11.Do you take specific actions to center equity in internal operations and external programs?(Required.)
12.Do you examine data disaggregated by race and other factors, identify inequities, and make a plan for action?(Required.)
13.Do you ensure board and staff represent and partner with the communities served including those most affected by your work?(Required.)
14.Do you treat the board as an asset, maximizing opportunities for board members to contribute time, talent, treasure, testimony and ties?(Required.)
15.Do you raise funds and budget for competitive staff compensation and benefits, invest in ongoing evaluation and professional development, and provide systems and infrastructure that staff need to do the work?(Required.)
16.Do you value and invest in collaboration, seeking community partnerships with other nonprofits and across sectors when necessary to better serve the community?(Required.)
17.Do you center the community and those most affected by your work as experts, with meaningful roles in informing the work?(Required.)
18.Do you recognize and incorporate advocacy as a collaborative tool to address root causes, change systems, and improve outcomes?(Required.)
19.Do you regularly clarify organizational purpose and unique value, including vision, mission, and values?(Required.)
20.Do you create actionable strategic plans and annual operating plans, and develop the organizational capacity to execute on the plans?(Required.)
21.Do you design and measure program impact, prioritize evaluation by people served with disaggregated service evaluation data, and adjust programs based on what is learned?(Required.)
22.What is your first and last name?(Required.)
23.Please share the name of your organization(Required.)
24.At what email address would you like to be contacted?(Required.)