BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards require that an organization regularly assess its effectiveness in achieving its mission. This policy seeks to ensure that an organization has defined, measurable goals and objectives in place and a defined process to evaluate the success and impact of its program(s). The evaluation must include a process to identify and address any deficiencies.
The specific standards are:
Standard 6:
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Information Needed from Charity to Determine Compliance:
The charity provides a copy of its board policy on performance and effectiveness assessments.
Application:
NYPAS confirms that a policy is in place and that such policy calls for an assessment at least every two years. The policy need not use the words "performance" and/or "effectiveness" but should make clear that the charity intends to formally evaluate its success and impact in fulfilling its mission, goals and objectives.
Standard 7:Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Information Needed from Charity to Determine Compliance:The charity indicates, on a form provided by NYPAS, whether its board receives and approves a written report of the assessment conducted, as described in Standard 6.
Application:
In this standard, NYPAS seeks to confirm that an assessment is carried out. The standard does not seek to evaluate the quality and content of the assessment. Therefore, NYPAS will not typically request a copy of the charity's assessment report.