Diagnostic
Clinics
Proper
assessment of the management issues faced by a nonprofit organization
is often a crucial step in planning an effective approach to solving
organizational problems. An accurate and comprehensive understanding
of challenges, issues, or problems does not guarantee a positive
resolution as the ultimate outcome, but it greatly enhances the
chances for success.
Nonprofit
organizations in the greater Milwaukee area that are eligible
for assistance from the Nonprofit Management Fund comprise the
pool of potential recipients of a diagnostic clinic. This service
is designed to assess overall organizational capacity, including
issues concerning management or governance.
Organizational
Assessment |
This
process is recommended when: a crisis threatens organizational
stability; an organization is undertaking a significant transition
to a greater degree of sophistication; there is a change in
leadership; or when the organization is at a self-defined
major turning point. |
Each organizational assessment includes meetings with the
Executive Director; attendance at 1-2 Board meetings; facilitation
of a staff meeting; review of a lengthy list of corporate documents;
attendance at appropriate committee meetings; administration of
a Board self-assessment, and sometimes, a staff survey; analysis
of all the data collected and information learned; and, production
of a written report accompanied by a verbal presentation to the
Board. The written report includes: a cover memo highlighting key
recommendations, a copy of the completed capacity checklist detailing
findings, and tools to assist the Board and staff in implementing
the recommendations.
All diagnostic clinics are conducted by the participants of the
Diagnostic Clinic Consultant Institute. To learn more about the
Institute, click here. To find a Diagnostic
Clinic consultant, click here.
Thus
far, the Fund has received very positive feedback on the more than
70 diagnostic clinics that have been conducted. Overall, the comments
from the Board and staff of the nonprofits document that the Fund
is offering a valuable service and its an appropriate option to
a grant. Click here to
read some of the quotes from organizations that have experienced
a diagnostic clinic.
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