Board Governance and Nonprofit Best Prac2ce Checklist

Transcription

1 Board Governance and Nonprofit Best Prac2ce Checklist This tool was designed to help nonprofit organiza3ons assess their organiza3onal capacity against a number of best prac3ces recommended by the Center for Nonprofit Resources (C4NPR.org Toledo, OH). Each organiza3on will need to decide for itself what changes, if any, to make in its governance and management policies and prac3ces based on the self- assessment. to nonprofit success

2 Board Governance Mission and Vision 1. Is the current mission statement appropriate and relevant? 2. Does the organiza3on have a clearly- ar3culated 5- or 10- year vision? 3. Has the organiza3on developed clearly- ar3culated values of guiding principles? 4. Does the board play a role in developing and regularly reviewing the organiza3on s mission and vision? Link to several ar3cles on how to write the Mission, Vision and Values Statements and why they maqer: hqp://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/index.htm Link to several ar3cles on how to write the Mission, Vision and Values Statements and why they maqer: hqp://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/index.htm Link to several ar3cles on how to write the Mission, Vision and Values Statements and why they maqer: hqp://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/index.htm Link to several ar3cles on how to write the Mission, Vision and Values Statements and why they maqer: hqp://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/index.htm 5. Are the mission, vision and values used to drive decisions?

3 Bylaws and Other Governance Policies Board Governance 6. Does the board have wriqen bylaws in place which are accessible to all and to which the group adheres? 7. Does the board review the bylaws periodically and ensure adherence? 8. Has the board adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy providing for the disclosure of poten3al conflicts and requiring board members to abstain from vo3ng? 9. Has the board adopted a Code of Ethics that establishes the standards of conduct for board and staff? 10. Has the board adopted policies for effec3ve governance such as how mee3ng agendas are established and processes for decision- making? BoardSource Ar3cle Bylaws - hqp:// BoardSource%20Ar3cle%20- %20Bylaws.pdf C4NPR Sample Bylaws by Crea3ve Op3on C - hqp:// C4NPR%20Sample%20- %20Bylaws.Crea3ve%20Op3on%20C.doc Conflict of Interest from Policy Center for Nonprofit Management hqp:// NCNA Sample Board Code of Ethics from Michigan Nonprofit Associa3on hqp:// BoardSource ar3cle - Governance Documenta3on hqp://

4 Bylaws and Other Governance Policies Board Governance 11. Are the board s policies easily referenced by all? 12. Do the bylaws or governance policies provide for limited terms for board members and officers? 13. Do the bylaws or governance policies provide a process for making nomina3ons and board appointments? 14. Do the bylaws or governance policies provide a process for removing a board member when necessary? 15. Do the bylaws or governance policies provide a clear process for handling urgent maqers between mee3ngs? Blue Avocado Ar3cle with checklist: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/BlueAvocado%20Ar3cle%20- %20Bylaws%20Checklist.pdf

5 Board Roles and Responsibili2es Board Governance 16. Are the responsibili3es of board members clearly spelled out in a board member posi3on descrip3on? 17. Do all board members demonstrate understanding of and embrace their role as trustees of a nonprofit fiscally responsible to the public and to donors? 18. Are all board members willing to par3cipate in governance, that is, in making policy- related decisions that guide programs and opera3onal ac3vi3es? 19. As a maqer of policy, do all board members demonstrate support for the organiza3on s mission? 20. Do all board members annually self- evaluate their own performance as board members? Sample Board Member Posi3on Descrip3on: from MEND hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board%20governance %20Resources/c4npr%20Sample%20- %20Board%20Member%20and %20CommiQee%20Job%20Descrip3ons.MEND.pdf Ohio AQorney General s Office Guide for Charity Board Members: hqp:// Roles and Responsibili3es of Nonprofit Board members in Ohio by Crea3ve Op3on C - hqp:// BoardSource YouTube Video hqps:// v=l1uugqcij6q&index=2&list=pl9e098ad03a2e7a85 Board member Self- Assessment from Aurora Consul3ng: hqp:// p/c4npr%20workshop%20handout%20%20board%20member%20self %20Assessment.Aurora%20C onsul3ng.pdf

6 Board and CommiFee Structure Board Governance 21. Are the structure and responsibili3es of each commiqee clearly outlined in wriqen policies? 22. Are the board s commiqees ac3ve and responsible for the work in their area? 24. Do commiqee assignments reflect interests and skills of board members? 25. Does the commiqee structure contribute to effec3ve board governance and decision- making? 26. Are board and staff roles with respect to commiqee work clearly understood and respected by all? From MENDPoverty.org - Sample Board Member and CommiQee Job Descrip3ons: hqp:// c4npr%20sample%20- %20Board%20Member%20and%20CommiQee%20Job %20Descrip3ons.MEND.pdf hqp:// See also to Sample Board Member and CommiQee Job Descrip3ons above

7 Board Culture and Group Dynamics Board Governance 27. Is diversity of thought specifically encouraged among board members? 28. Is adequate 3me given for free and full discussion of important maqers? From NPQ.org, The Cyclical Nature of Board Behavior: hqp:// here- we- go- again- the- cyclical- nature- of- board- behavior. html Or visit Julia Classen s blog at: When a difference of opinion emerges, is the maqer resolved in a way that demonstrates respect for all? 30. Are the talents of board members used effec3vely? Do board members enjoy their work and find it meaningful? 31. Do board members communicate with each other in a way that builds trust and teamwork? 32. Does the board have an annual retreat? Is it well- aqended?

8 Board Composi2on and Development Board Governance 33. Is the board comprised of individuals with the requisite skills, characteris3cs, interests, and experiences to perform the board s func3ons? 34. Does the board composi3on represent the diversity in the community in terms of gender, race, age, geographic distribu3on, and stakeholder interests? Board Matrix Sample by Crea3ve Op3on C: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/Sample%20board_commiQee %20structure%20from%20Nonprofit%20Works.doc Board Diversity Assessment from Ins3tute for Conserva3on Leadership - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/Sample%20board_commiQee %20structure%20from%20Nonprofit%20Works.doc 35. Does the board have enough produc3ve members to effec3vely govern and fulfill its responsibili3es? 36. Does the board par3cipate in iden3fying its board development needs and recrui3ng poten3al board members who might meet those needs? BoardSource YouTube Video hqps:// v=xbvwdkblvmc&index=9&list=pl9e098ad03a2e7a85

9 Board Governance Board Composi2on and Development 37. Does each new board member receive a board- led orienta3on to the organiza3on including its policies, board member expecta3ons, prac3ces, and history? 38. Do board members par3cipate in a regular self- assessment of the board s governance func3on? From Technical Assistance for Community Services, Board Orienta3on Checklist: hqp:// %20Resources/c4npr%20Sample%20- %20Board%20Orienta3on %20Checklist.TACS.pdf hqp://

10 Board Governance Board Mee2ngs 39. Are mee3ng agendas and suppor3ng materials provided to all board members prior to each mee3ng? 40. Are all board members prepared for each mee3ng? Sample mee3ng agenda - hqp:// %20Resources/Sample%20mee3ng %20agenda.Crea3veOp3onC.doc BlueAvocado Ar3cle about board packets hqp:// 41. Are board mee3ngs well aqended? AQendance at Board Mee3ngs is part of the Duty of Care: hqp:// b e de6cbd0244ff/nonprofit- Handbook.aspx 42. Is there a wriqen aqendance policy for board mee3ngs with stated consequences for excessive absenteeism? 43. Are minutes prepared for each mee3ng which are approved by the board and held in a central loca3on as the corporate record? 44. Are board mee3ngs focused on policy, planning, evalua3on, fiscal responsibility, and other important long- term maqers rather than on day- to- day opera3ons? Bylaws by Crea3ve Op3on C: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/C4NPR%20Sample%20- %20Bylaws.Crea3ve%20Op3on%20C.doc Sample minutes from Carter McNamara: hqp://managementhelp.org/boards/sample- minutes.htm Ar3cle from Crea3onInCommon about asking the right ques3ons in mee3ngs: hqp:// engagement- learn- how- to- change- the- ques3on/ns

11 Board Governance Board Mee2ngs Con2nued 45. Does the board chair effec3vely facilitate to keep each mee3ng on track and allowing for full discussion of important maqers? 46. Are board mee3ngs produc3ve, making good use of board member 3me? 47. Does everyone leave board mee3ngs with a clear understanding of what has been decided and what will happen next? Conduct a board mee3ng evalua3on: Sample Board Mee3ng Evalua3on from Board Catalyst - hqps:// asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board%20governance %20Resources/C4NPR%20Workshop%20Handout%20- %20Sample %20Board%20Mee3ng%20Evalua3on%20Form.Board %20Catalyst.pdf Blue Avocado Ar3cle Conduc3ng an Effec3ve Board Mee3ng - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/BlueAvocado%20Ar3cle%20- %20Conduc3ng%20an%20Effec3ve%20Board%20Mee3ng.doc 48. How can the board improve in the area of board governance?

12 Financial and Legal MaFers Compliance with State and Federal Laws 49. Does the board have a legally- registered statutory agent and a current cer3ficate of con3nuing existence from the Ohio Secretary of State? 50. Does the board review and cer3fy the accuracy of the IRS 990 (tax return form) each year before it is filed? 51. Is the organiza3on properly registered through the Ohio AQorney General s office and up to date with filings? 52. Does the board conduct a periodic review of its compliance with federal and state laws? Ohio Secretary of State s office: hqp:// Nonprofit.pdf IRS 990 Informa3on at: hqp:// &- Non- Profits Ohio AQorney General s office Nonprofit Handbook: hqp:// Publica3ons- for- NonProfits/Nonprofit- Handbook OANO.org s Compliance Checklist: hqp:// %20Resources/Checklist%20for%20Ohio%20Nonprofit %20Organiza3ons% pdf

13 Financial and Legal MaFers Compliance with State and Federal Laws 52. Does the board conduct a periodic review of its compliance with federal and state laws? OANO.org s Compliance Checklist: hqp:// %20Resources/Checklist%20for%20Ohio%20Nonprofit %20Organiza3ons% pdf 53. Does the board carry and review its general liability and Directors and Officers liability insurance policies? 54. Is the board in compliance with laws governing legisla3ve advocacy and lobbying? Nonprofit Law Resource Library hqp://

14 Financial and Legal MaFers Budge2ng and Financial Oversight 56. Does the board establish an annual budget that reflects the organiza3on s priori3es, goals and values? 57. Is the budget thoroughly discussed by the board before it is adopted? 58. Does the board regularly review financial reports (Profit and Loss Statement/Balance Sheet) that are 3mely, understandable, and support fiscal decision- making? 59. Is the treasurer or another board member ac3vely involved in preparing financial reports for the board? 60. Does the board discuss discrepancies between the approved budget and actual income or spending? 61. If a board member is concerned about something in the financial reports, could he or she speak up? NonprofitWorks.org Sample Line Item Budget: Budge3ng Checklist from Nonprofit Assistance Fund: hqps://nonprofitsassistancefund.org/sites/naf.../ budge3ng_checklist.pdf Nonprofit Finance Fundamentals PowerPoint by Dione Alexander of Nonprofit Finance Fund: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/financial %20Resources/Finance%20Fundamentals.pdf

15 Financial and Legal MaFers Audits 62. [Organiza3ons with annual income above $300,000] Does the board require and review an annual audit by an external accoun3ng firm? 63. Does the board follow any recommenda3ons in the management leqer accompanying the external audit? 64. [Organiza3ons with less annual income] Does the organiza3on have a policy in place to provide for an internal audit performed by board members who do not ordinarily have access to financial records and accounts? From The Council of Nonprofits - hqps:// audit- guide Internal Audit Instruc3ons and Checklist: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/financial %20Resources/C4NPR%20Sample%20- %20Internal%20Audit %20Instruc3ons%20and%20Checklist.doc

16 Financial and Legal MaFers Financial Policies and Procedures 65. Does the organiza3on have and follow wriqen financial management policies addressing internal controls, monitoring, whistleblowing, and investments? 65. Does the organiza3on have and follow wriqen financial management policies addressing internal controls, monitoring, whistleblowing, and investments? Ohio AQorney General s office Avoiding Thej Publica3on: hqp:// Publica3ons- for- NonProfits/Avoiding- Thej- in- Your- Nonprofit Compasspoint Guide and Template hqps:// and- template- fiscal- policies- and- procedures Ohio AQorney General s office Avoiding Thej Publica3on: hqp:// Publica3ons- for- NonProfits/Avoiding- Thej- in- Your- Nonprofit Compasspoint Guide and Template hqps:// and- template- fiscal- policies- and- procedures 67. How can the board improve in the area of Finance and Legal MaQers?

17 Management and Leadership Board- CEO Rela2onship 68. Does the board provide clear goals, expecta3ons, and iden3fied performance indicators for the CEO? 69. Does the board provide adequate resources and authority as needed to achieve goals and meet stated expecta3ons? 70. Is there a climate of mutual trust and respect between the board and CEO? 71. Do board members understand that only the board as a whole or a board designee can direct the CEO? Chair CEO Rela3onship from Aurora Consul3ng: hqp:// %20Workshop%20Handout%20- %20Chair- CEO %20Rela3onship.Aurora%20Consul3ng.pdf E.D. Guidelines for Managing Up/Managing Down from Aurora Consul3ng: hqp:// %20for%20Managing%20Up%20and%20Down.pdf Ten Common Commitments: hqp:// %20an%20Effec3ve%20Team.pdf

18 Management and Leadership Board- CEO Rela2onship 72. Does the board provide a regular performance evalua3on of the CEO? 73. Are the dis3nct roles and responsibili3es of board and CEO understood and respected by all? 74. Does the board allow and provide the CEO professional growth and development opportuni3es? MPERS Exec Director Evalua3on Process and Criteria: hqp:// %20Exec%20Dir%20Evalua3on%20Process%20and%20Criteria %20June% pdf Link to ar3cle on Board- CEO Rela3onship in Nonprofit Quarterly hqps://nonprofitquarterly.org/governancevoice/584- effec3ve- board- chair- execu3ve- director- rela3onships- not- about- roles.html C4NPR offers a wide variety of workshops hqp:// development- workshops by- category/

19 Management and Leadership Change Management 75. Is leadership open to new ideas that may emerge from board members, staff, customers or other stakeholders? 76. When a major change is underway, does the organiza3on put a wriqen plan in place? 77. Does the organiza3on take 3me to celebrate short- term victories associated with long- term change efforts? CompassPoint.org s Tom Wolfred on Leading Organiza3onal Change: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/managing %20Up/CompassPoint%20Presenta3on%20- %20Leading %20Organiza3onal%20Change.pdf See #75 above 78. Does the organiza3on take steps to embed changes in the organiza3on s culture?

20 Management and Leadership Leadership Development and Training 79. Is there a regular process in place for veteran board members to mentor newer board members? 80. Do board members engage in regular opportuni3es to par3cipate in training and ongoing educa3on? 81. Does the board regularly review its leadership needs and develop new board members to fill those roles? Nonprofit Quarterly ar3cle on mentoring millennials: hqps:// nonprofitquarterly.org/daily- digest/ next- genera3on- leaders- what- they- want- and- need- from- the- workplace.html C4NPR offers a wide variety of training programs hqp:// development- workshops by- category/ BoardSource Ar3cle: Board Chair Transi3on hqp://

21 Management and Leadership Leadership Transi2ons and Succession Planning 82. Is there a wriqen succession plan in place for the CEO? 83. Are there wriqen succession plans in place for the board s leadership posi3ons? A Research Ar3cle from CompassPoint.org Succession Planning for Nonprofits: hqp:// Execu3veTransi3onMonographs.aspx 84. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Leadership and Management?

22 Planning and Evalua2on Strategic Planning 85. Does the organiza3on have wriqen document(s) that clearly describe the organiza3on s mission, strategic vision, long- term and short- term goals and ac3on steps? 86. Did the board take an ac3ve role in crajing the strategic plan? 87. Does the plan outline specific objec3ves for the board, board officers, and commiqees as well as staff? 88. Does the board regularly review the progress on the stated goals, and make adjustments as needed? 89. Is the board able to use the strategic plan as a tool for assessing the performance of the CEO? 90. Is the CEO able to use the strategic plan as a tool for assessing the performance of staff? From fredbartenstein.com Strategic Planning Free Management Library hqp://managementhelp.org/strategicplanning/index.htm BoardSource Ar3cle: Roles in Strategic Planning - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/BoardSource%20Ar3cle%20- %20Roles%20in%20Strategic%20Planning.pdf

23 Planning and Evalua2on Program Planning and Logic Models 91. Are those responsible for program planning u3lizing logic models to assess exis3ng resources and develop desired outcomes and performance measures? 92. Is program planning based on assessment of needs for people served or the community? - Logic Model Template by Jacob Burgoon, Evalua3on: hqp:// %20Model%20Template%20with%20Example.doc - Logic Model Template from Laurel Molloy of Innova3ons Quan3fied.com: hqp:// %20Workshop%20Handout.Logic%20Model%20Template.IQ.doc - Logic Model Tips from Innova3ons Quan3fied.com: hqp:// %20Workshop%20Handout%20- %20Logic%20Model %20Tips.Innova3on%20Quan3fied.pdf Iowa State University Extension hqp://

24 Planning and Evalua2on Program Evalua2on and Outcome Measurement 93. Are the organiza3on s measures for successful programs, services, and opera3ons clear to everyone? Evalua3on Ques3ons by Jacob Burgoon: hqp:// lua3on%20ques3ons%20examples.pdf 94. Does the board review outcomes data and performance measures to ensure effec3veness and efficiency of programs and make changes accordingly? 95. Does the board have informa3on, in addi3on to staff reports, by which to evaluate program effec3veness? Library of Performance Indicators from CompassPoint.org: hqp:// %20Sample%20%20Library%20of%20Performance%20Indicators.pdf 96. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Planning and Evalua3on?

25 Human Resources Posi2on Descrip2ons 97. Are there wriqen job descrip3ons for the CEO and other staff that clearly spell out their responsibili3es? 98. Do all staff members have access to an up- to- date job descrip3on outlining their key responsibili3es? 99. Is there a process in place for regularly reviewing and upda3ng the CEO and staff posi3on descrip3ons? The HR Department offers this Sample ED Job Descrip3on: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/HR%20Department%20Sample %20ED%20Job%20Descrip3on.pdf

26 Human Resources Employment Manual 100. Has the board approved comprehensive personnel policies including staff selec3on, training, promo3on, compensa3on, and grievance procedures? 101. Do all staff have access to up- to- date copies of the Employment Manual? 102. Are comprehensive personnel files maintained in a secure, legally- compliant manner? 103. Has the board defined its philosophy of progressive discipline and other important HR maqers? Essen3al Elements for an Employee Handbook from The HR Department: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/HR%20Department %20Checklist.Essen3al%20Elements%20for%20an%20Employee %20Handbook.pdf From The HR Department Personnel File Checklist: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/human %20Resources%20Management/HR%20Department %20Checklist.Personnel%20File%20Documents.doc From TapRootFounda3on.org HR Literacy for the Nonprofit Sector: hqp:// Resources- Literacy.pdf

27 Human Resources Compensa2on 104. Does the board regularly review and update the salary and benefits packages of the CEO and employees? 105. Does the board review contracts and performance of independent contractors employed by the organiza3on? Sample C4NPR 2011 Salary Survey by Findley Davies: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/2011 Salary Survey Report.pdf From SHRM.org - hqp:// hrforms/ar3cles/pages/cms_ aspx

28 Human Resources Performance Evalua2on 106. Does the board provide a wriqen performance evalua3on to the CEO at least annually? 107. Do all staff members receive wriqen performance evalua3ons by the CEO annually? 108. Are performance evalua3ons based on clearly iden3fied expecta3ons spelled out in strategic and program plans, the Employment manual, and posi3on descrip3ons? From The HR Department - Sample Annual Non- Exempt Performance Evalua3on hqp:// %20Management/HR%20Department%20Sample.Annual%20Non- Exempt%20Performance%20Evalua3on.doc 90- Day Evalua3on Spreadsheet - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/HR%20Department%20Sample. 90%20day%20evalua3on.xlsx 109. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Human Resources?

29 Volunteers Policies 110. Does the organiza3on have strategies and infrastructure for mission- driven volunteer engagement? From Points of Light Founda3on hqp:// Does the organiza3on have comprehensive policies in place governing volunteers and their ac3vi3es? 112. Does the organiza3on have a risk management policy? 113. Does the organiza3on carry sufficient liability insurance to cover volunteers? 114. Does the organiza3on s budget contain sufficient resources for developing and suppor3ng volunteers? From Charity Village hqps://charityvillage.com/content.aspx? topic=policies_and_procedures_for_volunteer_programs#.vuc7zppf 44E From the Non Profit Risk Management Center: hqp://nonprofitrisk.org/tools/volunteer/no- surprises.shtml See link at item #53 From Volunteer Match - hqp://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2013/12/19/5- important- considera3ons- when- crea3ng- a- volunteer- program- budget/

30 Volunteers Recrui2ng and Screening 115. Does the organiza3on have a strategy for outreach and volunteer recruitment to sustain ongoing volunteer engagement? 116. Does the organiza3on have a plan for screening, selec3ng, and matching volunteers? 117. Does the organiza3on conduct background checks on volunteers who handle money or who are around vulnerable people (children, elderly, disabled, etc.) 118. Does the organiza3on have a method to match volunteers to the most appropriate role? From Points of Light Founda3on: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/HandsonNetwork%20PPT.pdf From Idealist.org, an ar3cle on Volunteer Screening, hqp:// Skills- based Readiness Checklist from Points of Light Founda3on hqp://pointsoflight.mkt4753.com/pol_pdf_landing_pages/ Common_Impact_Skills- Based_Volunteer_Project_Readiness_Checklist/? utm_source=silverpopmailing&utm_medium= &utm_campaign= POL_Dynamic_NewsleQer_2%20%286%29&utm_content=&spMailing ID= &spUserID=MTI5MjY1NjI2NzMxS0&spJobID= &spreportid=njyxnjm1nzmxs0

31 Volunteers Training and Reten2on 119. Has the organiza3on developed a curriculum/manual for training volunteers on their respec3ve roles? 120. Has the organiza3on equipped volunteers to work with each other? 121. Does the organiza3on clarify roles, re- train and support volunteers throughout their service tenure? 122. Does the organiza3on s leadership demonstrate commitment to volunteer engagement by dedica3ng sufficient resources (3me, money, people, tools)? 123. Does the organiza3on invite dialogue with volunteers? For more informa3on, contact hqp:// Volunteer Reten3on from Energize.inc, hqp:// See #110 above From Volunteer Power hqp://

32 Volunteers Tracking and Evalua2on 124. Does the organiza3on have a method to track the outputs and outcomes of volunteer contribu3ons? 125. Does the organiza3on monitor the quality of the volunteer experience? 126. Is the organiza3on able to ar3culate volunteer contribu3ons and impact? Kellogg Evalua3on Resource: hqp:// directory/resource/2010/w- k- kellogg- founda3on- evalua3on- handbook Logic Model Tutorial: hqp:// Presenta3on_Files/index.html OMB Performance Measurement and Evalua3on: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/Performance%20Measurement %20and%20Evalua3on%202001%20OMB.pdf 127. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Volunteers?

33 Fundraising Board Involvement 128. Are all board members ac3vely involved in securing adequate financial resources to fund the budget? 129. Does the board understand and support the organiza3on s income strategies? 130. Is there a wriqen agreement concerning any expecta3on that board members contribute financially? Fundraising Strategies for Board Members from Gail Perry.com: hqp:// board- members/ Board Member Contract Sample from Board Café hqps:// cafe/board- member- contract

34 Fundraising Fundraising Planning 131. Does the organiza3on have a wriqen plan for fundraising that outlines roles and responsibili3es of board, staff and volunteers? 132. Does the organiza3on have a wriqen plan in place that outlines which fundraising methods the organiza3on will use (and not use) in a given year, including events, mail, major donor, grant- wri3ng, social media, etc? 133. Does the organiza3on have a wriqen plan in place that provides for regular, renewable sources of unrestricted income to support opera3ons? 134. Does the organiza3on s budget provide sufficient resources for fundraising (prin3ng, mail, events, etc.)? From Grassroots Fundraising.org: hqp:// oads/fundraising_planning_worksheet.pdf - Annual Campaign informa3on from GrassRootsFundraising.org: hqp:// annual- campaign/

35 Fundraising Databases and Informa2on Management 135. Does the organiza3on have a secure contact management system for donors/ poten3al donors? 136. Do all board members par3cipate in providing updated informa3on for donors/ poten3al donors? 137. Does the organiza3on know where to find donor and grantmaker informa3on? Donor Management Sojware recommenda3ons and discounts at: hqp:// From Gail Perry - hqp:// training/get- your- board- members- fired- up- and- in- ac3on- for- the- cause- ar3cles/the- fired- up- board- preparing- your- board- members- for- fundraising/ Donor and Grantmaker Informa3on, can be found via: - hqp://fconline.founda3oncenter.org/ - hqp://

36 Campaigns and GiQ Acceptance Fundraising 138. Are board members aware of grants received, any s3pula3ons, restric3ons or requirements in the award contract and how the funds are tracked in the financials? 139. Do board members know how gijs can be received (cash, checks, online, stocks, property, estate plans, etc.)? 140. Does the organiza3on use technology (website and social media) to ask for and receive dona3ons? 141. Does the organiza3on regularly solicit dona3ons from board members, staff, volunteers, and members? My Top Ten Things Every Board Members Needs to Know About Grants by Michelle Klinger - hqps:// top- ten- things- every- board- member- needs- know- grants- klinger OANO recommends boards adopt a gij acceptance policy. See their Standards of Excellence: hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/OANO%20checklist.pdf Eight Tips for Fundraising at Fundraising123.org: hqp:// fundraising#.uxn3qm4vxvg Aimee Eisenstein presenta3on, Volunteers as Fundraisers - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/board %20Governance%20Resources/Volunteers%20as%20Fundraisers % pdf 142. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Fundraising?

37 Technology Computers and Equipment 143. Does the organiza3on have the ability to use func3oning computers that are basically up to date? 144. Does the organiza3on have a regular and reliable process for backing up computer records? 145. Does the organiza3on have reliable access to the internet? Consider Carbonite - hqp:// ac3on/cloud- backup/nonprofit And read: hqp:// room/blog/online- backup- for- small- and- medium- nonprofits

38 Technology Record Keeping 146. Does the organiza3on use computer sojware (Excel, QuickBooks) to keep financial records? See C4NPR.org s Technology for Nonprofits Page: hqp:// Does the organiza3on have sojware to record the types of services provided to individuals/families? 148. Does the organiza3on have sojware to record individuals or families enrolled/ served through programs as well as client outcomes? 149. Does the organiza3on have sojware capable of keeping track of donors, members and volunteers? 150. Is the organiza3on s electronic records, including , address in a Document Reten3on and Destruc3on Policy? Visit Techsoup.org for discounts on Microsoj Excel, Volunteer Management and Donor Management sojware for nonprofits. Document and Reten3on Sample Policy from C4NPR - hqps://asoj4240.accrisoj.com/npr/clientuploads/the %20990/6%20Sample%20Document%20Reten3on%20& %20Destruc3on%20Policy.pdf

39 Technology Internal Communica2ons Does your organiza3on make use of Web 2.0 tools to communicate? See CNPR.org s Technology for Nonprofits Page: hqp:// How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Technology?

40 Marke2ng and Public Rela2ons (includes Social Media) Public Rela2ons 153. Do board members posi3vely represent the organiza3on in the community? 154. Does the organiza3on publish an annual report? 155. Does the board regularly review the organiza3on s marke3ng and PR posi3on and strategy and make adjustments as needed? BoardSource YouTube video: Enhancing the Organiza3on s Public Standing hqps:// e06o8&list=pl9e098ad03a2e7a85&index=11 How to Write an Effec3ve Annual Report by Eric Jacobson: hqp:// towrite- an- effec3ve- nonprofit- annual- report - From the Network for Good, Wri3ng Your Annual Report in Five Easy Steps, by Kivi Leroux Miller hqp:// your- annual- report- five- easy- steps#.vuk9r_lviko From Ge}ngAQen3on.org and Nancy Schwartz hqp://ge}ngaqen3on.org/ar3cles/187/strategies- campaigns/ build- leadership- support.html

41 Marke2ng and Public Rela2ons (includes Social Media) Branding and Storytelling 156. Has the organiza3on discussed branding and ways to implement your brand across media plazorms? 157. Is the organiza3on adept at telling its story? 158. Does the organiza3on make use of a unique logo and other visual elements on all printed and online materials? 159. Does the organiza3on have clear text (consistent message) that is used on all printed and online materials? 160. Does the organiza3on have a simple tagline that tells all who see or hear it exactly what your group does? 161. Does the organiza3on have a picture or simple informa3onal graphics that tell the story of what you do? Brand Iden3ty for Nonprofits by Sam Frank at 4Goodorg - hqps:// 4good.org/sam- frank/brand- iden3ty- for- nonprofits From Julie Brown, In the Beginning Nonprofit Founding Stories - hqps://community- founda3on.com/in- the- beginning- nonprofit- founding- stories/ Make sure your logo tells your story from Chronical of Philanthropy hqps://philanthropy.com/ar3cle/how- to- Make- Sure- Your- Logo/ Cornerstones of your Nonprofit Message Plazorm from Nancy Schwartz - hqp://ge}ngaqen3on.org/ar3cles/1875/message- development/ nonprofit- message- plazorm.html Seven Dos and Don ts for Strong Nonprofit Taglines (Case Study) from Nancy Schwartz - hqp://ge}ngaqen3on.org/ar3cles/136/message- development/ guidelines- nonprofit- taglines.html Use hqps:// to help you create professional graphics at no cost.

42 Social Media Marke2ng and Public Rela2ons (includes Social Media) 162. Is your Donate buqon accessible on your website and mobile- friendly? 163. Are you using mul3ple forms of social media? hqps:// friendly/ hqps://nonprofitquarterly.org/management/ how- nonprofits- use- social- media- to- engage- with- their- communi3es.html 164. Is the organiza3on using social media consistently according to a set editorial calendar for pos3ng? 165. Does the organiza3on have a policy on use of social media that outlines who may post on behalf of the organiza3on? From Beth Kanter.org - Social Media Strategy, The Networked Nonprofit: hqp:// nonprofitslides From Beth Kanter.org Does Your Organiza3on Have Social Media Guidelines for All Board & Staff?: hqp:// guidelines/ 166. How can the organiza3on improve in the area of Branding and Media?

43 You make a difference. We re here to help. For additional resources and information, visit our Resource Library: Running a Nonprofit section at c4npr.org