Program accountability and evaluation strengthens internal practice as a focus of continuous improvement and serves as an external benchmark to proclaim an organizational commitment to excellence. As nonprofit agencies continue to look for ways to innovate in a resource constrained environment, building and implementing strong strategic, resources, and evaluation plans will position agencies well to effectively meet compelling community needs.
Starting with the core of the individual, and rippling through social relationships, families, institutions and community, a socio-ecological approach to change ultimately creates a new understanding of community norms and social policy. In my work with nonprofits, philanthropy, and government, I often see organizations excel in one, or perhaps two, circles of the model but rare is the organization that thinks about its programs and services across the entire socio-ecological system.
The reality is that while finances are important evaluation criteria for nonprofit effectiveness, the impact of the agency on the social need and the organization’s strategy matters much more, when judging the relative worthiness of nonprofit agencies. Indeed, it is puzzling to me that the Charity Navigator expert quoted in the Willamette Week article would perpetuate the mythology of the “program to administrative cost ratio”
In my consulting business I get calls from people who say, “I found your name through a search for fundraising consultants. Could you tell me your experience with managing a special event, capital campaign, or ________ (fill in the blank).” At which time I get to distinguish the concept of sustainability planning from the concept [...]
. This post is one of a continuing series on strategic planning and is based on my work facilitating strategic planning with nonprofit agencies. In strategic planning one of my initial conversations with an agency executive director will invariably include a discussion about the use of the strategic plan following its development. The savvy executive [...]
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- Mark P Fulop, MA, MPH
PO Box 18144
Portland, OR 97218-0144
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