An organizational assessment is an opportunity for an organization to identify ways to carry out its mission more effectively, benefiting the organization and the communities it serves. In the long run, it can contribute to program improvement and provide support for long-term planning.
With this assessment, an organization can develop its own targets and goals, look at areas of weaknesses and strengths, provide direction for board and staff, and help identify training needs. Additionally, a completed assessment can serve as a ready-made resource of documented results that can be used for fundraising and as supporting documentation for potential funders. However, it should be noted that the primary function of the assessment is to assist the management of the organization. It is not intended primarily as a public relations tool, but as a way to assess critically the charity's programs and operations.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards seek to ensure that the organization's volunteer board of directors is active, independent and free of self-dealing. A policy that measures an organization's effectiveness is an essential and necessary indicator of a board that is active in ensuring that its organization is operating effectively and efficiently. More importantly, it provides evidence that the organization and its board are working closely to develop guidelines that show how well an organization is carrying out its programs, and what steps the organization needs to take to improve its operations. The board has the ultimate responsibility to see that the organization is running well, effectively, and ethically.