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Exit Survey
 
 
Please participate in the Nonprofit Grader survey.

It will take approximately 15 minutes to provide a complete assessment of a nonprofit organization you care about.

Your survey responses will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in summary form.

Here’s what your rating will mean:

5 Stars: I strongly agree. Yes. All of the time.

4 Stars: I agree. Well, yes. Most of the time.

3 Stars: I’m neutral. Maybe. Some of the time. I’m concerned..

2 Stars:  I disagree. Well, no. Part of the time. I’m worried.

1 Star:    I strongly disagree. No. Not happening. I’m really worried.


If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact Michael Hannigan at [email protected].

Thank you very much for your efforts to make your nonprofit organization the best it can be.

Please start with the survey now by clicking on the Continue button below.
 
 
How is our Board of Directors doing?
Board members understand that the Board legally owns the organization.
Board members have read and understand the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Board members can clearly explain the policies they have ratified for the organization.
The Board enforces a confidentiality and conflict of interest policy.
The Board has ratified a “whistle-blower” policy, defined here as the ability of employees or volunteers to confidentially report any improprieties and/or misuse of resources.
Board members understand their responsibility for creating a clear vision, a compelling mission, and strategic goals for the organization.
Board members can clearly explain the strategic goals of the organization.
The organization effectively orients new board members.
Board members and board officers have job descriptions and understand their duties.
The Board uses a clear succession strategy for key board positions.
The Board makes effective use of standing committees, ad hoc committees, and advisory committees as appropriate to the size and complexity of the organization.
All Board members attend all board meetings.
The Board complies with the by-laws to nominate and select new board members and remove under-performing board members.
The Board works together to hire and fire, and set the compensation of the CEO.
The Board regularly monitors and assesses the performance of the CEO.
The Board holds themselves and the CEO accountable for overall progress towards the strategic goals.
Board members understand and can explain the annual budget.
Board members understand all financial reports, tax returns, and audits.
All Board members raise money for the organization.
All Board members actively represent the organization in the community.
All Board members attend special events and official functions of the organization.
 
 

How well are we managing our organization?


The CEO treats staff members fairly and equitably.
The organization has a personnel policy manual; it reflects what actually happens in the organization.
Employees understand and respect the performance review process.
The performance review process encourages self-evaluation, outlines standards of performance, sets measurable goals, and states objectives for future professional development.
Performance reviews are clearly related to written job descriptions.
Job descriptions are updated annually or whenever the duties of a position change.
The CEO monitors appropriate job assignments for staff members to ensure maximum productivity and effectiveness.
All employee information is kept confidential.
The hiring process is clear to all staff and board members.
The termination process is clear to all staff and board members.
The CEO makes sure all staff members understand the mission and vision of the organization.
Employees receive appropriate training for their jobs.
The CEO and other supervisors have the skills needed to manage employees.
The CEO creates a positive work environment for the organization.
The CEO uses a written conflict resolution system for resolving issues among staff members, board members, and volunteers in the workplace.
Employee job satisfaction is high; turnover is appropriately low.
 
 

How well do we manage our finances?


The Board and staff members understand the financial management system for the organization.
The Board and staff members comply with the operating budget that they have developed and ratified for the organization.
The operating budget is closely tied to the strategic goals of the organization.
The operating budget includes staff input.
The Board and the CEO have prepared budget scenarios in case the organization needs to cut the budget.
The organization has an accurate system for tracking income, expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flow.
The organization monitors all banks and investment managers responsible for the assets of the organization.
The CEO and Board treasurer regularly analyze financial data to ensure the overall financial health of the organization.
The CEO regularly reports financial data to the Board.
The bookkeeping, accounting, accounts receivable and payable systems of the organization are appropriate for its size and complexity.
The gift and pledge processing systems are effective and appropriate for the organization.
The CEO and staff members understand and use effective software programs to track financial activities.
The CEO and staff members monitor the cost-effectiveness of all fund raising and program activities.
Board members, the CEO and staff members understand the information on the tax return and audit.
The organization has a good system for internal control of all funds and financial systems.
The CEO and staff members do a consistent job of tracking grant proposals, successful grants, and all followup reports needed.
The organization uses a good system to track individual donors, any donor intentions, any restricted funds, and any endowed funds.
The organization has a well-organized, up-to-date paper and electronic filing system.
 
 

How are we doing on strategic and long-range planning?


The organization has a written strategic plan that accurately reflects the mission and vision of the organization.
All Board members, the CEO, staff members and key volunteers understand and work together to advance the strategic goals of the organization.
External stakeholders of the organization understand the value of the strategic plan for the community.
The strategic plan takes advantage of all of the assets of the organization.
The Board, CEO, and staff members all understand what goals need to be accomplished, when they need to be achieved, who will undertake them, and what resources are needed to accomplish them.
Board members, CEO, and staff members all have a strong understanding of how the programs and activities of the organization address community needs and opportunities.
The Board and CEO have developed an effective risk and crisis management plan.
The Board, CEO, and staff members regularly review and update the strategic plan.
External factors (economic, political, demographic, etc.) influence the development of the strategic plan.
The strategic plan addresses the impact of improbable or unpredictable events on the organization.
The organization regularly communicates its progress to stakeholders and to the community.
 
 

How is our fundraising going?


The organization knows how to raise money; the Board members and all staff members work together to develop and implement the fundraising plans for the organization.
The Board and all staff members actively participate in fundraising.
Fundraising plans are directly related to the Board-approved operating budget.
The CEO and staff members have developed detailed plans to raise or generate each kind of income listed in the operating budget with specific plans for target audiences (e.g. individuals, businesses, foundations, government agencies, etc.)
The organization adheres to ethical fundraising policies and procedures.
All Board members give to the organization every year.
Donors are treated with respect and confidentiality.
Donors are acknowledged promptly, with accurate information about the gift and any donor intent or restriction.
The organization regularly provides donors with honest and accurate information about its programs and achievements.
The organization complies with all state and federal rules and guidelines about fundraising.
 
 

How are we doing on our marketing and communications efforts?


The organization has a comprehensive written marketing and communications plan.
The Board and all staff members understand the goals and purpose of the marketing and communications plan.
The marketing plan effectively promotes the strategic goals of the organization.
The plan specifies what is communicated to whom (audiences), when (timelines and deadlines), and how (methods and tools).
The organization understands the appropriate use and cost effectiveness of different marketing and communication tools.
The organization measures return on investment of marketing efforts.
All communication materials show consistency and accuracy in portraying the organization’s brand in the community.
The organization understands its diverse audiences and creates marketing sub-plans for each one.
The Board understands and participates in the marketing/communications plan as appropriate.
 
 

How are we managing our information technology, software, hardware, and data?


The organization has an appropriate information technology (IT) system for its size and complexity.
The Board and all staff members understand the capabilities of the IT system and use it wisely to accomplish their work.
The organization has created a written plan and budget to maintain and upgrade hardware and software as needed.
The CEO has developed a plan to train employees on the use of all technology.
The organization understands cybersecurity issues and has a plan to respond to issues of hacking and other breaches of security.
Indirect costs such as staff time and staff training are figured into the cost of new or upgraded technology.
The IT system adds value to the organization by maximizing efficiency and increasing impact.
The Board and CEO understand the value of outsourcing IT functions that are expensive, need to be custom-designed, or are too complicated for the organization.
 
 

Do we understand the impact we are having on the community?


The achievements of the organization are clearly relevant to community needs and opportunities.
The organization has an effective process to solicit stakeholder input about community needs and opportunities.
The Board and CEO clearly understand how to measure the effectiveness of the organization’s programs and activities.
The organization monitors economic and demographic trends in the community that may affect the success of the organization.
Staff members gather and analyze data about the impact of the organization on the community.
The CEO and staff can readily generate information and reports about the effectiveness of the programs and activities of the organization.
The Board, CEO, and staff members use an effective system to communicate relevant data about the organization’s impact on the community.