Is your nonprofit organization overdue for its annual checkup?
When’s the last time you had your annual checkup? According to some data sources only 2 in 10 Americans get annual physical exams. I happen to be one of those and just had mine yesterday (fun, fun right?). It wasn’t so bad, but I’ll spare you the play-by-play description.
During an annual physical, a doctor, or a team led by a doctor perform a variety of tests to examine the wellbeing of the major systems of the human body. They begin by collecting vital signs and then move on to more detailed examinations of all of the major systems of the human body including the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, muscular, and urinary systems to name a few. When all of these systems are fully functioning our bodies are healthy and well. When one, or more, of these systems are dysfunctional, our overall health and wellbeing are affected.
The same applies to nonprofit organizations. 
Nonprofit organizations are actually living organisms with a variety of systems that must be fully functioning for our organizations to be at their optimal health and wellness. Dysfunction in one, or more, of these systems exerts a strain on the organization and if unchecked or untreated can lead to dire consequences for an organization.
Vital signs for a nonprofit include the basic essentials;
Is there money in the bank?
Is the organization up to date with 990 reporting?
Are there people on the board?
Sadly, some organizations never go beyond these basics to take a closer look at their systems.
The major systems of a nonprofit organization include: governance, leadership, resource development, financial management, human resources, administration, program development, and marketing. It wouldn’t surprise me to to learn that less than 20% of nonprofits assess their organizational health and wellness on a regular basis. It can be costly, time-consuming, and perhaps even a bit painful.
When was the last time your nonprofit organization had a checkup?
If your organization is due for a checkup we have exciting news for you. We’ve just released an online Organizational Health Assessment that you can complete and instantly receive results from your assessment. Best of all, you can access the basic report for free.
The Organizational Health Assessment is an instrument that assesses the health of the major systems of nonprofit organizations. Our assessment includes the governance, leadership, resource development, financial management, human resources, administration, program development, and marketing functions of your organization. As soon as you submit your responses to our questionnaire, you receive a report that is simple and easy to understand.
We use a traffic light system that scores each area of your organization with either a Green, Yellow, or Red light. A green light indicates an area where all systems are go and is probably an area of strength for your organization. An area receiving a yellow light is an area where caution is advised and perhaps some additional exploration is needed to find ways to strengthen your organization in that arena. Areas receiving a red light indicate a need to stop and address your organizational capacity in this area.
The purpose of the assessment is to provide your organization with insights and information that may inform your planning and guide your continued capacity development. The report is also a great tool for organizations that are considering seeking grant funding as it also helps assess your grant readiness.
You also receive a PDF copy of your report that you can share with your board and staff as you consider ways to strengthen your organizational capacity. There is also an option to schedule a one-on-one consultation call (nominal fee) with one of our consultants to review your results and brainstorm options for next steps.
The Organizational Health Assessment contains eight sets of questions and should take less than 30 minutes to complete. The standard report is free and the feedback is immediate. We believe you will find the assessment to be a great resource to guide your organization forward as you continue on your journey to excellence.
If you’re overdue for an annual checkup for your nonprofit organization, why not visit www.orgcheckup.org today and complete your organizational assessment? There’s also a version available for churches if you’re part of a local congregation. If you’re overdue for you personal physical better call your doctor and schedule that appointment now.