July 2014 Newsletter

I know you’re working hard to wrap up projects before your vacation or just returning from vacation to way too much unfinished business. I’ll keep this short so you can enjoy your summer!

I’ve had fun (mostly) developing my new website in WordPress. Check out the new content and a slew of handy resources there.

I also invite you to read my new blog post about “client process flow mapping,” a powerful technique to surface new insights about how your clients experience your programs. This is the graphic we developed that led to an improved program.about “client process flow mapping,” a powerful technique to surface new insights about how your clients experience your programs. This is the graphic we developed that led to an improved program.

I also invite you to read my new blog post about “client process flow mapping,” a powerful technique to surface new insights about how your clients experience your programs. This is the graphic we developed that led to an improved program.about “client process flow mapping,” a powerful technique to surface new insights about how your clients experience your programs. This is the graphic we developed that led to an improved program.

I’m wrapping up a project with a human services group in San Mateo County, helping clarify target program outcomes and internal evaluation strategies. When we’re finished with this piece, we’ll step back and figure out the best way to re-design their complex structure based on their intended community impact.

I recently launched a project with a San Jose anti-poverty group to help leaders improve internal program assessments. They want to ask new clients how they’re doing on a few key indicators when they first come and, later on, compare clients’ answers to the same questions after they’ve participated. The pre-post info will help leaders not only report program outcomes to their numerous funders, but also give them timely information to assist with continuous learning and program improvement.

I was recently certified as a CCAT facilitator by TCC Group, developer of the Core Capacity Assessment Tool. If you’re not familiar with the CCAT, it is an affordable and easy-to-use nonprofit organizational assessment tool used by many foundations and nonprofits. Benchmarked against hundreds of other nonprofits that have taken the CCAT, the resulting report identifies where the group is on a development continuum, lists capacity strengths and challenges and recommends a tailored capacity building plan. Certified facilitators guide the assessment process and help nonprofit leaders interpret the findings.

Please keep in touch as you contemplate adding new or enhanced programs or assessing your programs to better serve your community. I’d love to hear about your successes and challenges.

Warm wishes for a happy summer!
Eleanor

Bridgespan, the international consulting firm, has developed this great resource for nonprofit organizations: Business Planning for Nonprofits: What It Is and Why It Matters will walk you through the process of thinking through the needs and rationale for a new endeavor and practical strategies for bringing it into reality.