Building Organizational Effectiveness (BOE)
In today’s economy, non-profit organizations are asked to provide more services while their own resources dwindle. As a result, grantmakers and grantees must look for new approaches to make the best use of limited capital in the face of growing need, and to stay on course to reach established goals in a changing environment. To address these issues, organizations must find ways to enhance their internal systems, thereby increasing their ability to provide quality programs and services.
Since its founding, Community Memorial Foundation has focused on building the capacity of its non-profit partners. Through the Building Organizational Effectiveness Initiative, CMF provides non-profit organizations with continuous learning and improvement opportunities. This, in turn, creates great leaders, effective management, and sound governance.
Currently non-profit organizations serving the CMF region can avail themselves of the following programs thru the Foundation:
- Organizational Assessment and Action Planning
- Technical Assistance Grants
- Seminars and Workshops
- Management Association of Illinois Sponsored Memberships
- Taproot Foundation Grants
- Executive Coaching
Organizational Assessment and Action Planning
Community Memorial Foundation believes that an organizational assessment is a useful first step for organizations that seek to increase capacity. Beginning in 2009, CMF has partnered with TCC Group to offer the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) to all CMF grantees. TCC is a national consulting firm with a wealth of experience in providing capacity building services to non-profit organizations. TCC Group’s CCAT Assessment allows nonprofit organizational leaders to identify their organization’s strengths and challenges related to leadership capacity, adaptive capacity, management capacity, technical capacity, and organizational culture. This survey tool is easy to use (completed online by board and key staff members) and allows for a truly anonymous and confidential self-assessment of an organization’s core capacities. The CCAT also provides users with a report analyzing their strengths and providing recommendations for future growth and change.
All CMF grantees will be given the opportunity to take this organizational assessment. Any organization that applies for a Technical Assistance grant from CMF will first need to complete the CCAT Assessment.
In addition to the CCAT Assessment, CMF will continue to offer an in-depth organizational assessment and action planning program. Facilitated by Millennia Consulting LLC, organizations commit to a three month assessment process resulting in a thorough assessment of their internal operations, recommendations for change, and an action plan of concrete next steps to move to the next level in their development.
Technical Assistance Grants
Technical Assistance grants respond to the managerial and operational needs of individual non-profit organizations. The Foundation considers requests to support particular activities aimed at building organizational infrastructure, such as strategic planning, board and/or staff development. Technical assistance grants generally average from $1,500 to $15,000 and may be submitted to the Foundation throughout the year. Organizations interested in receiving Technical Assistance support should first complete the CCAT organizational assessment and then submit a brief letter of intent outlining the need for technical assistance. Organizations may then be asked to complete a Technical Assistance Grant Application.
Seminars and Workshops
Through the years, Community Memorial Foundation has sponsored several workshop series on key governance and management issues. In 2011-2012, CMF will sponsor a Leadership Institute on Board Governance. The Foundation will bring key thought leaders from across the country to facilitate a series of workshops for non-profit board leaders and executive staff on Board Governance issues.
Management Association of Illinois Sponsored Memberships
Community Memorial Foundation partnered with the Management Association of Illinois to provide Human Resources support to its grantees. The Management Association is a non-profit employers’ association serving more than 1,000 businesses and organizations. It provides members with a range of HR services including training, legal and employee benefits services.
CMF provides its grantees the opportunity to receive sponsored memberships in the Management Association of Illinois. Members receive an HR audit, a peer learning circle opportunity and access to the Management Association’s HR hotline.
Taproot Foundation
Community Memorial Foundation partners may also apply for a grant
through the Taproot Foundation. Taproot is an innovative partnership of corporate professionals who volunteer their time to provide assistance to non-profit organizations in the areas of marketing, information technology, strategy management and human resources. For more information contact Stacey Boeke at 312-494-9070.
Executive Coaching
Community Memorial Foundation will provide funding to support an executive coach to several of its grantees. Grantees interested in participating in this program must complete a separate application (to be made available in the spring of 2012). Selected organizations will meet with an executive coach on a regular basis over the course of one year. An executive coach focuses on helping an individual “learn what it takes” for him or her to improve existing capabilities, set meaningful goals, and be accountable for results. A coach helps a client understand and eliminate barriers to more effective performance. Coaching is a tool that can help successful leaders get even better.
If you would like more information about Building Organizational Effectiveness and its programs, please call Tom Fuechtmann: 630-654-4729.