Resources

 

Organizational Assessment

Questionnaires


Developed for the Long Island Community Foundation by Patricia Sparks, MSW, 2001 and modified by Ann Marie Thigpen, Director, Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership, 2007 

This comprehensive organizational assessment instrument, originally developed for the Long Island Community Foundation by Patricia Sparks, MSW, 2001, is a useful learning tool.  The Center wants to enable nonprofit organizations to determine where they stand in critical areas of organizational infrastructure and functioning. This assessment can help you get a clear picture of your organization.

Used as a self-assessment this instrument will highlight areas where an organization is strong and alert it to those that might need attention.  Regular assessment and acting on the results can help organizations sustain their strengths and consider preventive approaches to any potential problem areas.  The assessment can be used on its own or as part of a larger organizational development, strategic planning or consulting process. You can also select segments from the assessment and use them as single entities.

The assessment consists of a series of questionnaires, one in each of the following areas:

  • Mission
  • Board Governance
  • Planning
  • Resource Development
  • External Relations
  • Administration and Management:
  • Executive Leadership
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Space, Facilities, Systems, Technology 

Not every item on every questionnaire will apply to all organizations but most will have some relevance.

For simplicity and consistency, all questions call for “yes/no” responses.  Some questions ask for additional details and descriptions.

Each questionnaire indicates who should complete it.  In some instances the questionnaire is to be completed by one person, in others by more than one.  Those completed by more than one person should be considered individually and also consolidated for a collective perspective.

Taken together, the responses to the questionnaires can help you gauge the health of your organization. Completing the assessment will require an investment of time and effort, but digesting and acting on the results will pay off in an even more effective organization and one with greater prospects for long-term success.

If you would like to identify technical assistance resources to address your organizational needs, contact The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership by email, linonprofit@adelphi.edu, or phone 516.877.4429.

We hope this assessment tool will be of assistance to Long Island’s nonprofits and welcome feedback from users.


Download the complete set of Organizational Assessment evaluations (PDF 232 KB)

Cover Sheet (PDF 20 KB)
The information provided in this questionnaire provides a brief overview of your organization. All staff and board members should be familiar with this information. This information should be regularly updated and placed in accessible place with current organizational documents.

Mission Questionnaire (PDF 24 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Board Chair

Board Governance Questionnaire (PDF 40 KB)
To be completed separately by each board member

Planning Questionnaire (PDF 24 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Board Chair

Administration and Management/Executive Leadership Questionnaire (PDF 32 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Board Chair; 10% of staff (in confidence) drawn from various levels

External Relations Questionnaire (PDF 28KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Board Chair

Administration and Management/Finance Questionnaire (PDF 32 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Chief Fiscal Officer; Board Treasurer

Administration and Management/Human Resources Questionnaire (PDF 36 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Staff Member responsible for personnel; Chair of the Board’s Personnel Committee or, if there is not such a committee, the Board Chair

Administration and Management/Program Planning and Evaluation Questionnaire (PDF 28 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Program Director; head of the board’s Program Committee or, if there is not such a committee, the Board Chair

Resource Development Questionnaire (PDF 32 KB)
To be completed separately by each of the following: Executive; Development or Fiscal Officer; Board Treasurer or Fundraising Committee Chair

Administration and Management/Space, Facilities, Systems and Technology Questionnaire (PDF 32 KB)
To be completed by the Executive

---
Back to Top of Page


---
Contact
For additional information, please contact:

Ann Marie Thigpen
Director
p - 516.877.4429

A. Brian Leander
Assistant Director
p - 516.237.8571

Peter Chernack
Faculty Director
p - 516.877.4350

Diane Wunderlich
Program Coordinator
p - 516.877.4415

The Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership
School of Social Work
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY 11530
e - linonprofit@adelphi.edu
f - 516.877.4352

Join Our Mailing List
Email:


This page was last modified on October 5, 2011.
---

Back to Top of Page