Instructions
Welcome!
Please use the assessment below to measure your organization's adherence to the benchmarks included in the application for Standards Basics Level. These are the measurements used by reviewers who evaluate applications to the Standards for Excellence Institute.

Think about each measurement related to your own organization and check whether or not your organization exhibits these practices at this time. Add notes to the comments at the bottom of each section to note areas of particular strength or areas that are in need of growth.

When complete, please email learning@mdnonprofit.org for results.

The foundation of the Standards for Excellence program is the published Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. It identifies 6 major areas of nonprofit governance and management which contain 27 different topic areas. Each topic area includes specific benchmarks and measures that provide a structured approach to building capacity, accountability, and sustainability in your organization.

Question Title

* 1. Organization Information

Question Title

* 2. Mission, Strategy, and Evaluation
Nonprofits are founded for the public good and operate to accomplish a stated purpose through specific program activities. A nonprofit should have a well-defined mission, and its programs should effectively and efficiently work toward achieving that mission. Nonprofits have an obligation; to ensure program effectiveness and to devote the resources of the organization to achieving its stated purpose.

Mission and Impact

  Yes No Partially N/A
The statement of the mission is clear.
The mission is defined and approved by the board.
The organization's activities are consistent with its mission. 

Question Title

* 3. Program Evaluation
The organization has provided a description of the framework for how each program is or will be evaluated. The framework should include all the elements below:

  Yes No Partially N/A
The evaluation methods are cost-effective for the organization
Quantitative and qualitative data is being collected (at Basics tier, data collection must have begun)
The evaluation methods include input from program participants as part of the evaluation
The evaluation methods measure outcomes related to efficiency and organizational effort
The evaluation methods measure outcomes related to effectiveness and outcomes for program participants. (These outcomes should be related to the organization's mission and strategic goals)
The evaluation methods encourage candid input from board, staff, and program participants
Information gained through program evaluations is used by the board and staff in organizational decision-making

Question Title

* 4. Comments

Describe areas where you may have more work to do or where the organization exhibits particularly good work.

T