Assessments
CCG has deep experience in a number of types of non-profit assessments including: Organizational Assessments, Development Assessments, Campaign Readiness Assessments, and Feasibility Assessments.
Development Assessments
It is important to make your development team as effective as it can be by identifying the strengths and challenges of the organization. With that information in hand, you can maximize the opportunities and tackle the challenges to be a more effective fundraising organization. The development assessments take 3 months and involve one-on-one interviews with key staff, Board and volunteers, and an internal and external assessment of the organization. The result is a PowerPoint presentation to the Board which shows recommendations for the future.
A development plan follows the development assessment. CCG works with a committee of the Board and staff to create a 3-year plan with development goals, timelines and accountabilities to keep the development team on track and on budget.
CCG will also assess your grants management or development effort and help your organization to get more return on its investment by streamlining those functions and looking at the cost/benefit ratio of the department.
Development Assessments and Plans account for over 50% of the work that Clemow Consulting Group does. We have helped over 45 organizations increase their organizational effectiveness and financial security in this way.
“The Connection was looking to build long term fundraising capacity. CCG was with us every step of the way. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results. CCG was able to help us understand what kind of investments would be needed to build our development capacity and to help us conduct a search for the right development professional.”
Peter Nucci
President and CEO
The Connection, Inc.
“I assumed leadership of Boys & Girls Village within the last year. Within my first month it became apparent that we needed a complete, thorough and professional assessment of our fund development efforts with benchmarking and recommendations for improving outcomes. Susan Clemow is an experienced, knowledgeable, tactful and focused professional who delivered completely in a timely manner.”
Stephen A. Joffe, MSW
Former President and CEO
Boys & Girls Village, Inc.
Feasibility Studies
Clemow Consulting Group conducts a Feasibility Study before every Capital Campaign to see how ready an organization is to raise capital dollars. It becomes a customized action plan that prepares an organization to successfully solicit funds from individuals, corporations and foundations.
The following issues are studied:
- Donor preference and propensity to give
- Estimated achievable dollar goals
- Staff and leadership capability for managing a campaign without detriment to the annual fund
- Marketing opportunities
- Ability to recruit new volunteers and new donors and to reestablish ties with former supporters
The study usually interviews 40 to 60 donors and other people and takes 3 to 4 months. A written PowerPoint report is presented to the Board and campaign leadership. The Feasibility Study includes a preliminary campaign plan which becomes a road map for the campaign ahead.
“Clemow Consulting Group conducted the feasibility study for the Hartford Stage ‘Act Now For the Future’ Capital and Endowment Campaign, and assisted with developing our fundraising strategy for the early stages of the campaign. Intuitive and perceptive, Susan Clemow provided an expert assessment of the funding potential for our ambitious fundraising effort, and thoughtful guidance on how to proceed when our board unanimously approved the launch of the Act Now for the Future campaign. “
Michael Stotts
Managing Director
Hartford Stage
Organizational Assessments
To grow and change, an organization needs to know what its challenges and opportunities are at the present time. An organizational assessment allows an organization to do just that. A team of professionals examines an organization to determine its readiness for future steps. The assessment enables the staff and the Board of an organization to agree on a mission, vision, and long range plans. It provides the solid footing needed to move forward with a common understanding and purpose.
Campaign Readiness
Is your organization ready to consider having a Feasibility Study and a Capital Campaign? What are the elements of success that are necessary to determine an organization’s ability to raise substantial sums of money? CCG has counseled over 50 clients to help prepare them for capital and endowment campaigns. We know the questions to ask!