Have you checked on your organization’s health lately?

As a member organization of Tennessee Nonprofit Network, you have the opportunity to complete a capacity assessment for your organization. TNN team members are available to assist you with this assessment.

The 501 Commons Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit draws research from thousands of nonprofit organizations across the globe to assess the five characteristics of a healthy nonprofit organization. Moreover, the assessments’ purpose is to evaluate your organization’s strength, weaknesses, challenges and areas for enhancement. While one person can complete the self-assessment for the organization, it is highly recommended that a minimum of five (5) people with detailed knowledge of the organization’s operations complete it.

The assessment process will be a guided conversation that will help you and your assessment team establish a shared understanding of the status of your organization. You will develop an action plan for moving forward as a thriving organization, and be given recommendations and resources to assist with your organization’s growth. The ultimate goal of the assessment and the facilitated process is to provide support that will enhance the organization’s internal and external operations, and in turn enhance the delivery of the organization’s services for the community or need it is positioned to meet.  

Focus Areas of the Assessment

The Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit Assessment focus areas are as follows: 

  • Governance and Boards  

  • Fundraising and Financial Management  

  • Communications and Relationships

  • Planning, Technology and Administration  

  • Management and Culture  

benefits of the assessment

  • Summarized report with the findings of your team’s assessment delivered straight to your email.  

  • Personalized action plan provided by Tennessee Nonprofit Network. 

  • Based on your action plan, TNN will also provide recommendations and resources as highlights in the summarized report and action plan.  

Participation Requirements

To participate, Tennessee Nonprofit Network requires the following: 

  • Your organization must assemble an “assessment team.” Members of this team will include the following: 

  • Board members, preferably the Board Chair 

  • Executive Director/CEO 

  • 2-3 Additional staff members (ex. Program Director, Project Director, Human Resources Director, etc.) 

*Each member of the Assessment team should be knowledgeable of the organization’s operations.  

  • Be prepared to dedicate at least one (1) hour to pre-work.  

  • Be prepared to dedicate a minimum of two (2) hours to the open and transparent conversation during the facilitated assessment appointment. 

  • Facilitated assessments are $300 for the first session. Additional follow-up assessments are $200.  Non-facilitated assessments are free.

  • Facilitated assessments will only be conducted with organizations that have been incorporated for at least 3 years. Follow-up assessments will be conducted no earlier than 2 years after the initial assessment. For more information, please contact Andrea Hill, Chief Development and Partnerships Officer or Dorian Hines, Middle Tennessee Regional Director. 

Next Steps

To sign up for the facilitated 501 Commons Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit Assessment or to receive a link to the free version, please contact Dorian Hines, Middle Tennessee Regional Director.