Behind every impactful program and successful initiative is a well-managed, empowered team supported by a strong operational foundation. A nonprofit organization is only as effective as its people, so it’s imperative to invest appropriately in your employees. From hiring and onboarding to performance reviews and professional development, these functions help your organization run smoothly, ethically, and sustainably.

The OpX360 People & Organizational Development module from The Capin Center for Nonprofit Excellence offers a free, easy-to-use assessment to help your nonprofit evaluate key areas such as:

• Policies and procedures
• Recruiting, onboarding, training, and development
• Performance reviews, compensation, and succession planning  
• Volunteer management
• Organizational culture

You’ll also receive an assessment score you can share with potential funders. 

Assessment Breakdown

Understanding the health of your nonprofit’s people and organizational development practices is essential for building a healthy, productive, and empowered workplace. Clear policies and strategic investments in people, processes, and training foster stability, efficiency, and a motivated, impactful workforce.

Designed to be taken by your CEO, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, or a board member knowledgeable in this area, the OpX360 People & Organizational Development module contains 60 Best Practice statements grouped into six Key Elements:

• Comprehensive Policies, Procedures, and Employee Handbook – These foundational documents guide an organization’s business affairs. Effective policies and procedures consider strategic and tactical aspects of operations and have levels of authority associated with them. They support and empower leaders and programs rather than hinder or limit them.
• Recruiting, Onboarding, and Training –These procedures help carefully guide the process of finding, selecting, hiring, and onboarding qualified employees in a consistent, strategic manner that provides the necessary staffing across all areas of an organization.
• Performance Reviews and Rewards, Compensation, and Succession – Solid performance management and fair compensation plans help build a healthy, legally compliant workforce that supports the organization’s mission and allows it to continue to grow and flourish.
• Volunteer Management – Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofit organizations. A well-managed, legally compliant program will ensure they are supported, encouraged, protected, and appreciated.
• Organizational Culture-Setting – Organizations can encourage cultural competency by ensuring employees continually develop awareness and sensitivity specific to the community and population they serve. This helps organizations provide relevant products, programs, and services.
• Training and Professional Development – Required training courses can help organizations avoid legal repercussions. Training and professional development programs can also reduce employee turnover while equipping employees to grow and succeed.

By answering assessment questions based on these six Key Elements, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of your nonprofit’s health along with an understanding of why each element is important and how you can make improvements.  

After you complete the convenient online People & Organizational Development module, you’ll receive an Executive Briefing, which includes a high-level summary of your nonprofit’s results, as well as a Detailed Report with in-depth insights and recommendations based on your responses.

With our free unlimited subscription, you can take the assessment as often as you want to check your progress and demonstrate competency to funders and other stakeholders.

If you’re looking to gain valuable insights to help you optimize your operational processes, programs, and services, take the free assessment.

For a broader evaluation of your organization’s overall operational competence in other vital areas, OpX360 offers five additional modules. You can learn more about each here.

Additional Resources:
Finance & Accounting Assessment: A Key to Strengthening Nonprofit Operations
Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Assessment: Insight for Strategic Engagement and Growth
Governance, Legal & Risk Management Assessment: Understanding Key Elements of Stability and Success
Program Management & Accountability Assessment: Insight for Strategic Planning and Program Development