Taproot Taxonomy

Competencies Map 1.0
Appendices of Projects – 3/09 Page 1
Competencies Map 1.0
Appendices of Projects
There are 76 common projects needed by nonprofit organizations included in the Competencies Map 1.0. Each
project includes a description that helps explain what a typical project would include and the goals for that
project. The descriptions are intended to provide a general definition; the scope and approach will vary by
nonprofit based on their specific needs, and by the companies supporting the pro bono team delivering their
expertise. These project types should be used as a starting place for planning and not as hard guidelines.
Communications/Public Relations/Advocacy
Communications Plan
A communications plan outlines a nonprofit’s target external audiences, the messages for each and the
vehicles used to reach them. It provides a roadmap for how the nonprofit will conduct its communications
during a specified time period and the measures for determining its success. The plan is part of an
overall marketing effort, and does not include its execution.
Public Relations Plan
A Public Relations plan identifies communications strategies to help an organization achieve its goals and
the tactics to achieve them. It can include a broad spectrum of ideas, from developing a specific calendar
that establishes an execution time-frame to such tactics as creating media lists, media relations, media
training, news releases, speeches, publications, and press kits. (A press kit may be a separate project.)
The plan is a part of an overall marketing strategy, and does not include execution.
Advocacy Plan
Nonprofit advocacy is an effort to change the opinion or actions of a specific community. It often targets
political decision makers or the voting public. An advocacy plan clearly defines the audience to influence,
the desired change and a well-defined process for regularly educating that audience about the
organization’s point of view via testimony, media outreach, public speaking, op-eds and targeted mailings.
It does not include the execution of the plan.
Newsletter Design
An online or print newsletter is a regularly distributed publication produced by a nonprofit to communicate
to its stakeholders. It can be produced online or offline. The design is a strategic element that
strengthens content and includes the template, a work plan and editorial guide. It may also include
developing the first issue of the publication. An online newsletter would include specific technology
solutions which must be considered. For print, the design could establish the mechanism for printing and
distributing the newsletter.
Annual Report
An annual report is a document (digital and/or print) that describes the nonprofit, summarizes its activities
and outcomes from the previous year, and sets forth a vision for the year ahead. It typically includes
audited financials (although the audit is not part of the project), financial analysis, description of programs,
case studies, program benefits and results, as well as a list of supporters. The project occasionally
addresses the necessary printing process.
Brochure
A brochure is a communications document (digital and/or printed) that advertises, promotes or educates
targeted audiences about the organization or one of its programs or issues. A brochure project typically
includes research to define its objectives and target audience, followed by its design, writing and
photography. It occasionally includes help with the printing process.
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Public Service Announcement
A public service announcement (PSA) is an advertisement (radio, TV, print, online) that focuses on
raising awareness for an issue or nonprofit organization. It can be for any location / medium where
advertising is found. This project would develop the strategy and advertising designs for the PSA. This
project is unlikely to include securing inventory for the PSA.
Technology Infrastructure
Donor Database Implementation
A donor database implementation project assists a nonprofit in identifying their technology requirements
for a Donor Database. Vendors are evaluated and one is selected, and the nonprofit is then assisted in
configuring the database to meet their needs, importing their data, and trained on using for going forward.
This does not include the purchase of software or hardware. Connectivity between the host would need to
be determined.
Organizational IT Plan
An organizational IT plan looks at transitional changes as well as current pain points for an organization
to assess how technology can be utilized to support the organization in addressing those needs. It
typically includes the plans for utilizing the web, databases (program, fundraising, and operations) as well
the core office technology infrastructure like calendaring, networks, phones, software needs, etc. It
includes factoring in budgetary constraints of the organization and provides a plan for the organization to
budget for technology utilization in the future.
Office Networking
An office networking project requires a team to configure and/or install a networking solution for the
organization that does not include purchasing the equipment or managing the relationship with the
cable/phone company.
Remote IT Access Set-up
A remote IT access set-up project provides a plan, configuration, and implementation of a system to
enable collaboration and communication between sites. The materials required for remote IT access is
not included in this engagement. This project is for organizations that have a need for net activity outside
of a single site.
Program Database Implementation
A program database implementation project supports an organization in creating a database to track
clients and/or client outcomes. It typically starts with a requirements phase where the nonprofit defines
how the database would be used and how success would be defined. In the next phase the team either
builds a custom database to meet these needs or identifies an appropriate existing vendor. The project
may include configuration of the database and integration of existing data. It should also typically include
training so that the nonprofit can use it going forward. This does not include the purchase of software or
hardware.
Interactive/Website Technology
Online Flash/Video Program Demo
A flash /video demo project can be used by nonprofits to explain the benefits of their program and how it
works at events or donor meetings or for training, and is streamed from the organization's web site. This
project typically goes through a requirements phase, design phase and then finally a production phase.
The demo usually cannot be updated by the nonprofit’s staff unless it has the proper skills internally.
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Basic Website Design and Development
A basic website project provides a nonprofit with a static website containing up to 15 web pages. The
site’s content is similar to a brochure or annual report, and explains the organization’s mission, programs,
goals, accomplishments, and needs. The project includes several phases including research, design and
development. In the research phase, the audience, desired actions and necessary messaging are
defined. In the design phase, copy, design and photography are created and integrated. The final stage
involves converting the design into HTML and training the nonprofit on how to update and maintain the
site.
Intranet Design and Development
An intranet project provides a nonprofit with a secure internal web environment for employees, board
members and volunteers to access information and interact. It may include contact information, policies,
dynamic program and fundraising reports, and an internal calendar. Some versions may include web 2.0
features like wikis, which allows participants to collaborate on creating shared content for the site.
Extranet Design and Development
An extranet project provides a nonprofit with a secure external web environment for clients, alumni and
other external stakeholders who regularly need to access information and interact with the organization.
It may include blogs, wikis, contact directories, calendars, and libraries of resources. It may also integrate
social networking features, or integrate with an organization’s intranet.
Interactive Website Development
An interactive web site project provides a nonprofit with a dynamic web site that typically is connected to
a content management database and may have some features that require back-end development or the
integration of third-party applications like a blog or mapping tool. The project includes several phases
including research, design and development. In the research phase, the audience, desired actions and
necessary messaging are defined. Then, in the design phase, copy, design and photography are created
and integrated. The final stage involves converting the design into HTML and training the nonprofit on
how to update and maintain the site.
Fundraising
Event Planning and Production
An event planning and production project supports the management of a nonprofit's major event -
typically a fundraising event. It can include event strategy definition, sponsorship and ticket sales,
budgeting, collateral material, event volunteer management, securing and managing vendors for the
space, speaker recruitment and management and day of fundraising activities like auctions and raffles.
For larger events, additional pro bono consultants may be necessary, e.g. multimedia artists to create
special displays of the nonprofit’s work and/or impact in the community, etc. or interior designers for help
with staging and designing the event’s aesthetic impact. These considerations should be scoped in detail
in the project plan as additional projects.
Fundraising Management Process
A fundraising management process project helps a nonprofit define a process for managing fundraising
activities to increase efficiency, effectiveness and predictability. It typically includes the creation of a
pipeline management with methodologies for factoring prospects and renewals. It may include a
proposed process for streamlining the grant writing and reporting process or individual donor solicitations.
It is important in the scope of work to identify the exact processes the project will focus on such as
preferred channels of outreach.
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Executive Fundraising Coaching
An executive fundraising coaching project matches a fundraising professional with someone who can
provide mentorship in any/all aspects of fundraising. It typically leverages knowledge from enterprise
sales or from direct mail marketing professionals depending on the fundraising emphasis of the
organization.
Donor Segmentation
A donor segmentation project enables a nonprofit to understand who gives to the organization and how
they are clustered by behavior and profile. It typically is done based on information from existing donors,
but likely will include surveying donors or funder focus groups to gather additional information. It should
result in a clear definition of segments with each one including descriptions of demographics,
psychographics and typical behaviors. It may also include analysis for ROI per segment relative to cost of
soliciting that segment and practical recommendations for executing on the results.
In-Kind Opportunity Assessment
An in-kind opportunity assessment begins with a review of an organization’s current and projected
expenses and identifies strategies for and specific costs that can be met through in-kind organization
sponsorships and in-kind contributions from individuals. For the largest in-kind opportunities it may also
include an in-depth analysis of sources and positioning for the asks to increase likelihood of a
sponsorship and donation. It will often also include management and financial procedures that will
facilitate the organization’s receipt of the items and services.
Capital Campaign Design and Management
A capital campaign design and management project devises a plan to reach out to current and potential
donors to solicit the funds necessary to achieve these campaign goals. It may include feasibility study, a
timeline, a list of roles & responsibilities and associated marketing materials (creation of these materials is
a separate project). A pre-requisite for this project type is an existing understanding of the capital needed
for a major campaign. Please note capital campaigns can take many years to execute so the scope of
this project should be broken down into small projects for each phase of the campaign. Different
expertise will be required for each phase.
Capital Campaign Materials
This project identifies the fundraising and marketing objectives and creates the materials necessary to
support a capital campaign. Materials may include information for campaign workers and fact sheets as
well as pamphlets, brochures, leaflets, and flyers used to advance a campaign.
Human Resources
Assessment and Plan
An assessment and plan project will help a nonprofit understand where they currently are in terms of HR
capacity; identify and prioritize which areas of HR the nonprofit can improve for maximum strategic impact
and make decisions about where they should dedicate resources to improving HR in the long-term.
Organizational Design
An organizational design project produces an effective organizational structure that addresses key
accountability and communications issues, such as responsibility for decisions and outcomes or formal
lines of communication that make it easier for employees to get the information they need. An
organization design project should result in clear assignments for all strategic and operating goals,
mapped outcome responsibilities and decision-making authority for operating areas such as budgets,
hiring and firing, and goal-setting, and clarified roles and responsibilities for employees. An
organizational design project can touch on very sensitive and potentially politically charged areas of the
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nonprofit (e.g. recommendations for eliminating and/or consolidating some positions). A solid
understanding of business processes and the nonprofit sector are strongly recommended for this project.
A communications strategy and execution plan is a separate project listed under the Human Resources
category.
Employee Recruitment Process
An employee recruitment project process helps an organization figure out where to find and how to attract
the right employees for key roles. Building a pipeline, writing meaningful job descriptions, creating
powerful outreach materials, and clarifying evaluation standards are all a part of solid recruiting. A
recruiting project will generally not include defining roles (organizational design) or on-boarding and
integrating employees. Some projects might include these deliverables; however, that must be clearly
scoped into the project timeline and it should be identified if these deliverables are pre-requisites.
Organizational Diversity Plan
An organizational diversity plan project builds a diversity strategy team and plan to create strategic, longterm change with diversity initiatives. A successful diversity plan integrates diversity as a critical piece of
the mission, vision, values, and daily strategy of the organization, and addresses issues such as hiring,
firing, clients, budget, compensation, marketing, management styles, strategic planning, recruiting,
retention, and investments.
Performance Management
A strong performance management system project will not only increase the effectiveness and
satisfaction of your employees, but will also improve your organization's ability to fulfill its mission. At its
core, performance management is about three things:
- Clarifying personal objectives and aligning them with organizational objectives
- Providing regular feedback on these personal objectives and development goals
- Learning from past performance in order to continuously improve
Therefore, identifying organizational objectives, organizational culture and core competencies should be
considered pre-requisites for this project type.
Back Office Systems Implementation
A back office systems project selects and implements a high quality and cost effective Human Resources
management system to manage elements such as payroll, timesheets, benefits, employee information,
recruiting and hiring, training, and performance management. This project includes requirements
gathering, vendor selection, installation, training, and maintenance plan.
Staff Compensation and Incentive Plan
A staff compensation and incentive plan systematizes compensation and develops non-monetary rewards
programs or initiatives. A compensation plan can help an organization recruit and retain qualified
employees, boost morale, reward performance in ways that motivate employees, and reduce turnover.
The project includes job descriptions and analysis, pay structures, salary administration policies, and total
rewards policies. This project can touch on very sensitive and potentially politically charged areas of the
nonprofit (e.g. recommendations for eliminating and/or consolidating some positions). A solid
understanding of business processes and the nonprofit sector are strongly recommended for this project.
Staff Training & Development Plan
A staff training and development plan project analyzes an organization’s current staffing and development
needs, and creates a process for creating, implementing, and maintaining organizational and individual
development plans. This project helps clients identify the type and level of talent necessary to achieve
strategic goals, address top-down and bottom-up development needs, and make good decisions about
hiring, training, on-the-job development, and task allocations.
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Internal Communications Plan
An internal communications plan ensures that employees receive regular and accurate communications,
that messages are consistent across the organization, and that employees understand both the goals and
the results of communications. An internal communications plan project might provide an analysis of
communications needs, a plan for who needs to issue communications and when, and templates for
various communications pieces.
Program Development
Volunteer Management Systems
A volunteer management systems project enables a nonprofit to identify and implement the proper
systems for managing its volunteers. The extent to which an organization develops and implements a
volunteer management system depends on the nature of the activities to be conducted by the volunteers.
For example, an organization that uses many volunteers, some of whom directly serve people, will
probably use a very comprehensive system. In contrast, an organization that occasionally uses
volunteers to stuff envelopes, might do a brief solicitation to recruit any volunteers that the organization
can get and then do a very brief training, afterwards leaving the volunteers alone to perform their task.
Needs from Volunteers Assessment
A needs from volunteers project enables a nonprofit to ensure the organization is making the best use of
its volunteer program. Program planning and design begins with an initial assessment of why the
organization wishes to utilize volunteers and what the benefits and problems are likely to be of volunteer
utilization. While most nonprofits are eager to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting
the services volunteers offer. It is in the organization's interest and more beneficial to the people it serves
to make certain their volunteers have the skills needed, that the volunteer is truly committed to doing the
work, and that their interests match those of the nonprofit. Furthermore, in volunteer work involving
children or other at-risk populations, there are legal ramifications for the organization to consider.
Volunteer Needs Assessment
A volunteer needs assessment project enables a nonprofit to consider all of the potential scenarios in
which a nonprofit may or may not want to volunteer with the organization.
Program Evaluation
A program evaluation project is a tool a nonprofit organization can use to ensure that its existing
programs are serving the mission of the organization and are achieving maximized results. Program
evaluation can identify areas of trouble before they become unmanageable. It can also assist in
determining how best to allocate resources. This project can be risky because many times the wrong
measurements can be chosen or measures are chosen that the organization can’t maintain. A high level
of sector knowledge is helpful for these projects.
Client Needs Assessment
A client needs assessment project can demonstrate and document a known community need and has the
added benefit of involving the public in problem solving and goal setting. Important questions to answer
when planning the needs assessment include:
Who is the assessment attempting to inform, influence, or persuade? What purpose is the needs
assessment intended to accomplish? Whose needs are to be assessed? What questions need to be
asked? Do you already know the answers? Can you do anything to change the situation? How will the
information be used? What resources are available to do needs assessments?
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Client Service Evaluation
A client service evaluation project should set up the process and tools necessary to evaluate any program
outcomes and client satisfaction. All programs should measure impact and identify areas for
improvement. This project includes collecting post-project surveys from the delivery team and the client,
as well as following up with the client to collect quantitative measurements on the program’s long-term
impact.
Operations Process Design
An operations process design project details the fundamentals of effective operations management in the
areas of program design and evaluation, managing staff and volunteers, team building and
communication skills. Following a discussion of the role of program planning within the broader scope of
strategic planning, this project will explore the cyclical steps of a program planning process, from initial
concept to implementation to evaluation. This project should enable the nonprofit to effectively manage
the program planning and evaluation process, increase effectiveness in facilitating productivity among
staff and volunteers and fostering creative energy in team efforts.
Strategic Management
Strategic Plan
A strategic planning project enables a nonprofit to envision future goals (typically 3-5 years in the future)
and to figure out how it is going to get there. Typically, strategic planning requires stakeholder interviews
and other research to take a good look at what is going on outside the organization (including external
opportunities and threats); evaluate the organization itself (including strengths and weaknesses); and
establish strategic goals. Some strategic plans start by redefining or clarifying the organization’s mission,
vision, and values; others continue beyond strategic goals and objectives to describe tactics to help reach
those goals.
Refined Mission, Vision and/or Values
A mission statement project helps focus energy and resources, clarify purpose, and motivate and inspire
employees, volunteers, clients, and funders of a nonprofit. An organization can outgrow its original
mission, vision, and values statement, or find that its original statement does not fully communicate its
purpose. To rewrite, the organization needs to interview stakeholders, including clients; reflect fully on its
role in the community; and draft and review statements until it reaches a powerful, succinct vision.
Environmental and Sustainability Policy and Plan
An environmental and sustainability plan helps an organization assess its current environmental impact,
state sustainability goals, and make a plan to achieve those goals. An environmental policy is a unifying
vision that guides the actions of an organization’s employees, management, shareholders, customers,
and suppliers. The project might include stakeholder interviews, assessment of current policies, a
feasibility study, a guiding statement, both broad and specific policies, a communications plan, an
implementation plan, and a way to evaluate ongoing impact.
Internal Capacity Assessment
An internal capacity assessment project evaluates an organization’s capacity in key functions, such as
management, fundraising, systems, and human resources. A capacity assessment helps an organization
identify where it is strong and where it needs improvement, and can help align staff and board around
those needs. Completing a capacity assessment requires selecting a framework, administering selfassessments and outside assessments, summarizing and analyzing findings, and suggesting next steps
for improvement. A capacity assessment might also establish means to evaluate growth in the future.
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SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
A SWOT analysis project lays out an organization’s strengths and weaknesses (typically internal factors)
as well as threats and opportunities (typically external) in a matrix. Creating a SWOT analysis requires
internal and external stakeholder reviews and assessments, as well as facilitated discussions and
analysis. Some SWOT projects go beyond analysis to detail next steps and priorities.
"Competitive" Analysis
A competitive analysis project produces a competitive scan of the environment, including organizations in
and out of an organization’s geography. A scan can evaluate best practices, point in a competitive
direction, or highlight opportunities for learning or collaboration, and recommend next steps to address
competitive or collaborative growth and change. Typically, a competitive scan includes research and
interviews with organizations, funders, clients, and staff, analysis, and recommendations.
Earned Income Business Plan
An earned income business plan provides the data and analysis necessary to plan, fund, and roll out a
new business. Typically includes a market and competitive analysis for a particular business opportunity,
including a feasibility study that shows where to concentrate efforts; a basic financial model or costbenefit analysis that projects revenue and impact on the organization; development and presentation of
data for fundraising and planning activities; and an operations plan that describes details management
needs to launch.
Geographic Expansion Plan
A geographic expansion plan helps an organization plan to replicate existing services in a new location.
Typically, an expansion plan project team reviews secondary literature and talks to field experts; reviews
competition and collaboration in the new geography; identifies key replication considerations such as
potential funding sources and protecting the brand; describes key operational capabilities necessary for
success; performs an organizational assessment to evaluate internal capacity for expansion; and makes
recommendations for a launch plan and timeline.
Logic Model Design
A logic model design project helps an organization articulate program strategy in a concise, actionable
way, and can serve as a unique communications tool to build staff consensus, make stronger pitches to
various constituents, or fulfill funders’ evaluation needs. A typical logic model project includes
development of a logic model that describes the relationships among program resources, activities, and
outcomes; a plan for future use, such as evaluation or making operations decisions; and training for board
and key staff members. One of the key insights of the logic model is the importance of measuring final
outcomes or results, because it is quite possible to waste time and money (inputs), "spin the wheels" on
work activities, or produce outputs without achieving desired outcomes. It is these outcomes (impacts,
long-term results) that are the only justification for doing the work in the first place. For commercial
organizations, outcomes relate to profit. For not-for-profit or governmental organizations, outcomes relate
to successful achievement of mission or program goals.
Real Estate & Facilities
Lease Review
A lease review project provides a detailed review of a lease to ensure that the nonprofit is clear on the
commitments articulated in the lease. It may also include advice on areas in the lease that might be most
advantageous to negotiate.
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Facilities Needs Assessment
A facilities needs assessment project helps a nonprofit understand its facilities, office space, or real estate
needs. The goal is to assess how nonprofit facilities accommodate their staff, programs, culture,
resources, and anticipated growth.
Interior Design & Brand Integration
An interior design and brand integration project helps transform a nonprofit’s office and program space to
better align with the organization’s brand and messaging.
Building Accessibility & Code Compliance
A building accessibility and code compliance project analyzes an existing piece of real estate to
determine where it is out of compliance with accessibility and other legal codes. The ultimate goal is to
ensure that nonprofits maintain a healthy work environment.
Facilities Renovation
A facilities renovation project encompasses many of the above services and most directly leads to the
alteration of the aesthetic and functional spaces associated with a nonprofit’s facilities.
Marketing/Branding
Program Marketing Plan
A program marketing plan lays out a strategy and action plan for engaging people or organizations in a
nonprofit’s program. This could include marketing to clients and/or volunteers involved in the direct
delivery of a service. The project includes research to understand the audience(s) and then definition of
the right vehicles and moments to deliver communications. It does not include the execution of the plan.
Organizational Positioning & Key Messages
An organizational positioning and key messages project defines the prioritized target audience(s) for a
nonprofit, the desired action the nonprofit wants them to take and then the positioning and messaging that
is likely to be effective in activating the audience. Ideally, this project includes a process to test the
effectiveness of the messages and positioning and a process to gain board and management buy in. It
can also include training for all members of the organization to how to use the positioning and language.
Visual Identity (e.g. Logo)
A visual identity project typically provides a nonprofit with a new logo, tagline and styles guide. It can
include recommendations for implementing the new identity and ideally includes significant up front
research work to drive the creative direction as well as testing on the back end to determine the
effectiveness with stakeholders.
Re-Naming
A re-naming project provides a nonprofit with a new name for the organization or a program of the
organization. It includes a process of defining the attributes of a successful new name, developing
options for new names, testing the names with stakeholders and verifying their legal availability. It can
include recommendations for implementing the new name and a process for facilitating board
management and key stakeholder buy in.
Legal
Organizational Risk Assessment (Risk Mitigation)
A risk mitigation assessment project will analyze an organization’s strategies and organizational practices
for litigation or legal risks. The outcome from advice from counsel will help identify areas where legal risk
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could be mitigated. The attorneys can help advise in particular situations or on the overall risks for
litigation but will not handle any pending or subsequent litigation.
501(c) (3) Filing (Incorporation)
An incorporation project can provide guidance on compliance, documentation, and filing if a nonprofit
wishes to file an application for 501 (c)(3) status. The services would include: application drafting and
filing, assistance with reporting and compliance, and advice on governance and operations.
Intellectual Property Protection (Copyright, Trademark, etc.)
When working on marketing and brand recognition, a nonprofit may create certain images or phrases that
need to be researched and protected. The attorneys and support staff will research trademarks, service
marks and advise on copyright protections for material created by the nonprofits.
Personnel Policies
A personnel policies project enables a nonprofit with full time employees/and or consultants to comply
with payroll and withholding requirements and with a host of federal and local laws that regulate
employment relationships. Nonprofits should know their rights and obligations as an employer and move
quickly to strengthen any areas where proper compliance is in question.
Merger
Mergers often are desirable in order to ensure survival, to enhance efficiency over duplication or to
ensure a strategy for growth and preserve smaller, groups with similar missions. The legal work in the
sphere of mergers and acquisitions usually consists of the following major stages:
agreement structuring, defining the agreement subjects, the financial sources, the description of the close
out, the accounts procedure (for example, using escrow-account), the procedure of the transition of
proprietary to the assets, the procedure of the payment of the close out, documentation that get the !lose
out under control; conducting the legal due diligence of the close out; development of the merger
agreement, the assurances and obligations of the sides, the buy-in scenario; the buy-in that provides the
transition of proprietary to the assets and accounts; getting the close out under control. These are
typically long term projects that require a great deal of sector knowledge and firm commitment over the
long-haul.
Litigation
A controversy before a court or a "lawsuit" is commonly referred to as “litigation”. If it is not settled by
agreement between the parties it would eventually be heard and decided by a judge or jury in a court.
Litigation is one way that organizations resolve disputes arising out of an infinite variety of factual
circumstances. This project should determine if the end deliverable will be devising the litigation strategy,
the execution of the strategy and/or the litigation support services such as copying, scanning, indexing,
hosting data, producing paper copies, project management and consulting that nonprofits rarely can
afford.
Financial Management
Program Cost Analysis
A program cost analysis project identifies and frames the cost initiatives a nonprofit must define to answer
a pressing strategic question. The first stage is an in-depth examination of current financial data to tease
out cost factors relevant to those initiatives. The second stage is preparing a comprehensive report that
clearly lays out the full costs of taking on a particular initiative.
Financial Audit
A financial audit project is a process for testing the accuracy and completeness of information presented
in an organization's financial statements. This testing process enables an independent certified public
accountant (CPA) to issue what is referred to as an opinion on how fairly the agency's financial
statements represent its financial position and whether they comply with generally accepted accounting
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principles (GAAP). Although there are few laws or regulations that directly state how nonprofit
organizations must operate their finances internally, there are many that have a strong indirect impact.
These indirect influences include IRS reporting requirements and the accounting standards most funding
agencies require supported organizations to follow. In practical terms, these "recommended" standards all
but demand certain accounting and other financial practices be followed by nearly all nonprofit
organizations. Board members, staff, and their relatives cannot perform audits because their relationship
with the organization compromises their independence. This project type is often significantly risky as a
pro bono project.
Internal Financial Controls Assessment and Design
An internal financial controls assessment and design ensures that a nonprofit is consistently recording
financial transactions in an accurate fashion. These controls also help to minimize risk, including
employee theft. The first step in developing an effective internal control system is to identify those areas
where abuses or errors are likely to occur. Many accountants can provide you with a checklist of areas
and questions to consider when you are planning your system.
Budgeting Process Design
A budgeting process design project provides a focus for an organization and its management to analyze
key financial and strategic issues. Used as a diagnostic tool, a budget can help a nonprofit detect
problems before they have major financial consequences, and it can help move from reactive to proactive
and profitable money management. A strategic budget involves all key stakeholders in the budgeting
process; tracks the status of the budget in real-time, giving key stakeholders immediate and ongoing
access to current budget details; allows managers to track actual performance against the budget; and
can be quickly and readily adjusted to meet changing economic conditions. It is also important to ensure
the budget process ties out to the organization’s operating plan and to ensure effective resource
allocation.
Pricing Strategy
A pricing strategy project enables a nonprofit to value the product and service it provides to its
customers/clients. Since price directly affects revenues (price x quantity sold = revenue) and, therefore,
profitability (total revenue - total costs = profit), a good place to start when developing a pricing strategy is
by determining unit costs. While nonprofits are not driven by making money, net income is crucial to
organizational sustainability. This project should incorporate how to calculate the appropriate costs for
the product or services delivered, and develop the baseline pricing to ensure profitability which can be redirected towards unrestricted income and/or increasing the organization’s cash reserves.
Purchasing and Supply Chain Audit
A supply chain project enables an organization to procure the materials it needs to create a product, the
transformation of these materials into the finished products, and the distribution of these products to its
customers/beneficiaries. Often times, the marketing, distribution, planning, manufacturing, and the
purchasing responsibilities along the supply chain operate independently and they each have their own
objectives which are often conflicting. For example, purchasing contracts are often negotiated with very
little information including basic historical buying patterns. The result of these factors is that there is not a
single, integrated plan for the organization. Most organizations want to create a mechanism through
which these different functions can be integrated together. Supply chain management is a strategy
through which such an integration can be achieved. An audit of these systems will identify potential
opportunities for increasing efficiencies and economies of scale all of which identify better performance
and lower costs. A purchasing audit can be relevant for all organizations. A supply chain audit may be
more commonly associated with selling specific products. However, a similar type of service delivery
supply chain audit can be performed for organizations that deliver their own services.
Competencies Map 1.0
Appendices of Projects – 3/09 Page 12
Board
Board Effectiveness Assessment
A board effectiveness assessment project measures a nonprofit’s board capacity and performance. It
typically looks at the board’s governance practices (structure, policies and procedures), stewardship
(mission and fiduciary oversight), membership (roles, training, recruitment, engagement, performance
management, etc.), resource generation (fundraising) and CEO management (succession planning, goal
setting, professional development, spot coaching and evaluation).
Board Recruitment Process Design
A board recruitment process design project helps a nonprofit link their strategic and functional needs to a
process that can reliably produce high-quality and engaged classes of new members. It begins with
designing a method of defining the board’s needs and gaps in their existing membership through
articulating existing roles, responsibilities and expertise. Next steps include the formation or revamping of
a Board Development Committee with a clear charter, an articulated candidate sourcing and review
process, and a recruitment timeline. This work generally concludes with a defined process for orienting
new members to the board to ensure their immediate and sustained engagement. This is a process
design project, not the execution of the plan.
Board Reporting Dashboard
A board reporting dashboard project translates an organization’s strategic and operating plans in a simple
set of metrics that cover the financial, administrative, programmatic and governance performance. The
project works to help reduce a broad set of metrics into a set that can quickly and effectively used by a
board of directors to help them focus on the key drivers of the organization’s success. The dashboard will
often also include a model for visually representing analysis of the data (e.g. red, yellow or green) to put
the numbers in context.
Process / Meeting Facilitation
A process and meeting facilitation project provides a nonprofit with a neutral and skilled third party that
can help navigate a complex decision or process. It is typically needed when the competency is not
present on the current staff, there is no capacity to play the role or the organization needs an outsider to
enable all the other stakeholders to be participants and not have to also be responsible for facilitation.
Occasionally it is also used to help navigate a situation that has become personally charged. Nonprofits
often use this resource for management and board retreats or for a planning process.
Executive Coaching
An executive coaching project provides support and occasional advice to an individual in order to help
them recognize ways in which they can improve the effectiveness of their nonprofit. Executive coaches
work to improve leadership, employee engagement, teamwork, fundraising, communication, goal setting,
strategic planning and other key functions of an organization.
Executive Director 360 Degree Performance Review
A 360 degree performance review project provides an executive director with feedback from all their key
stakeholder groups including the board, subordinates as well as self-assessment, and in many cases
external sources such as volunteers, donors, clients, peers, partners and other people with whom the
executive regularly engages. The data is collected by survey or interviews by a third party who then
compiles the information and draws out trends to share with the executive director. It may also include
recommendations for professional development opportunities to increase the leader’s effectiveness.