How long does an organizational assessment take?

Most assessments run six to twelve weeks, depending on organizational size, the number of stakeholders interviewed, and whether facilities, land, or licensed programs are part of the review.

Will staff speak honestly?

Interviews are confidential and findings are reported in aggregate without attribution. In practice, an independent outside voice hears things that are difficult to say internally.

Do we need an assessment before strategic planning?

No. A full assessment is not a prerequisite for planning or for any other engagement. It is worth doing when the board and staff genuinely disagree about where the organization stands, or when a large commitment is about to be made on an unclear picture.

Do we get a score or a rating?

Where useful to the assignment, we may use an evidence-supported diagnostic profile to clarify strengths and constraints. The findings, evidence, and professional interpretation matter more than a number. This is not a universal organizational grade or a ranking against a validated industry benchmark.

Service

Organizational Strength & Assessment

A clear, candid picture of where the organization stands — and what to strengthen first.

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Who this helps

Leaders responsible for a consequential organizational decision.

Nature centers, land trusts, and conservation organizations
Health and human services nonprofits and community-based providers
Membership-based mission organizations
Boards and executive committees seeking an independent read

What we will accomplish

An independent read on governance, leadership and staffing, revenue, programs and participant experience, operations, and public trust — followed by a sequenced plan for what to strengthen first.

A shared, evidence-based understanding of organizational strengths and constraints
A short list — usually two or three — of the constraints most relevant to the question you brought
A realistic view of revenue concentration, staffing capacity, and operating demands
A clear record of where evidence is strong, where it is limited, and where views differ
Board and staff alignment on priorities before money and time are committed
A sequenced roadmap that distinguishes urgent repairs from longer-term investments

Volunteers packing fresh food and pantry staples at a community food center.

How we work

Understand. Reveal. Choose. Build. Learn.

The same plain, five-stage method guides every service. The depth of evidence and participation is sized to your assignment.

01
Understand
Gather the evidence and perspectives needed to see the situation accurately.
02
Reveal
Make strengths, constraints, differing perspectives, and underlying causes clear.
03
Choose
Frame the real options, tradeoffs, priorities, and decisions.
04
Build
Create the substantial working document or roadmap, with responsibilities, resources, measures, and first actions.
05
Learn
Review implementation, test assumptions, and adjust while staying grounded in the mission.

Depending on your priorities, your engagement may include

The written proposal specifies the exact deliverables, timing, participation, and fixed fee for your assignment.

Confidential interviews with board members, staff, and selected external stakeholders
Document and data review sized to the assignment: budgets, bylaws, policies, program and participant data, membership and donor trends
Where relevant to the assignment, a site, facility, or land walkthrough with an operations and participant-experience lens
Written assessment report with findings, the evidence behind them, stated limitations, and prioritized recommendations
A growth roadmap with phasing, owners, and indicators of progress
Board and staff presentation of findings, with facilitated discussion

One focused assignment example

A focused assignment might examine one operating constraint—such as role clarity or workflow—and produce a prioritized improvement brief.

Timing and your participation

A focused assessment begins at $12,500. A broader Organizational Strength Review is $15,000–$22,500 and usually takes six to eight weeks.

Participation is agreed at the outset. It may include the executive director, board chair, senior staff, trustees, and selected stakeholders whose perspective can materially improve the work.

Organizations often reach out when

A new executive director or board chair is taking office
Revenue has plateaued or become concentrated in too few sources
The organization is considering a capital project, campaign, or major expansion
Staff turnover, burnout, or role confusion is affecting delivery
The board is preparing to launch a strategic planning process

Investment and payment

Beginning at $12,500

Focused Consulting Engagement or Organizational Strength Review

Every service can begin as a Focused Consulting Engagement at $12,500, with a defined assignment, deliverables, timing, and fixed fee established in the written proposal. Broader work may be structured as an Organizational Strength Review or Integrated Strategic Direction when the need spans multiple areas.

Every assignment considers connections across the whole organization. Detailed work stays focused on the areas agreed in scope. Range drivers include interviews, board participation, sites, and specialist responsibilities. Travel or specialist expenses are included only when agreed in the proposal.

For larger engagements, the standard schedule is 40% on booking, 30% after the evidence and listening stage, and 30% on delivery. The final schedule is stated in the written proposal.

Major fixed-fee engagements include eight hours of implementation counsel during the 90 days following delivery.

Questions

Before you decide

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Free practical ideas on leadership, strategy, and strengthening mission-driven organizations.

Start a conversation

Bring the decision in front of you.

A complimentary 30-minute conversation helps establish the situation, fit, and a sensible next step. Detailed analysis and written recommendations begin with a paid engagement. Every engagement is principal-led; appropriate collaborators are added when the scope calls for specialist expertise.

Schedule a 30-Minute Conversation

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