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Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Greater Milwaukee Chapter
Through the survey process provided, the YNPN Board was able to learn what aspects of the organization people valued the most, the role that YNPN plays in the community and how this information can both inform both the guiding vision of the organization and the membership model developed at the retreat.
St. Joseph’s Medical and Dental Clinic, Inc.
“We are deeply appreciative for the funding provided by the Nonprofit Management Fund and the outstanding service provided by our consultant. The information that we have obtained through this process will be instrumental in helping our agency to enhance its viability.” St. Joseph’s Medical and Dental Clinic, Inc.
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Diagnostic Clinics
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.
 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.
Each organizational assessment includes meetings with the Executive Director; attendance at two 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 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.
This process is recommended when a crisis threatens organizational stability, an organization is undertaking a significant transition to a greater degree of sophistication, there was or will be a change in leadership, or when the organization is at a self-defined major turning point.
Benefits of a Diagnostic Clinic
• Recognizes organizational strengths
• Identifies areas for improvement or enhancement
• Engages individuals and groups in the discovery process
• Builds a team who literally and figuratively are on the same page
• Provides a comparison to standards, best practices, or rules and regulations
• Creates a common understanding of decisions that should be made collectively
• Allows new leaders to emerge
• Encourages new thinking
• Builds the capacity of the organization, once the recommendations are implemented
 All diagnostic clinics are conducted by one of the graduates of the Diagnostic Clinic Consultant Institute. The consultants, who were trained by the Fund Advisor, have extensive backgrounds in issues faced by nonprofit organizations. Find a consultant.
Thus far, the Fund has received very positive feedback on the more than 150 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 to the nonprofit community.
“The consultant was clearly knowledgeable about nonprofit governance and structure while being respectful of the unique culture of the agency.” - The Youth and Family Project, Inc.
“We are very pleased with the report produced by this grant. The majority of our Board members feel that the report contains extremely helpful recommendations, and we are working on developing a plan to begin implementing these improvements.” - Polish Heritage Alliance, Inc.
“In addition to the observations in the book and presentation delivered at our annual Board retreat, our consultant provided us with tips, emails, software trials, research and guidance for our programs. This advice was warmly welcomed.”
- Wild Space Dance Company
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