Here's how you can enhance a struggling non-profit program's performance.

Wise and informed professionals understand that the evaluation lifecycle necessarily begins with defining success for a nonprofit program. The organizational effectiveness of a nonprofit rests upon clear, measurable and achievable success indicators related to the programmatic goals. When selecting success indicators are determined the qualitative and quantitative nature of organizational activities, respectively (i.e., how stakeholders or end-users feel or the number of interactions). Subsequently, the dissonance between espoused programming goals and validated data ?? collection (discussed later) provides insight and for nonprofit organization leaders.

I was asked by LinkedIn algorithm to provide my expertise in this area re struggling "not for profit". However, I'm then led to Assess Needs - which is typical of the speed of tech and also it being somewhat more intelligent than human beings tbh! Question whether it's worth helping a struggling NGO. I recall listening to Rory Stewart on the Rest is Politics. Although he is a Tory, he raised an alarming statistic about the proliferation of NGOs However returning to the point - I would suggest going with your gut instinct. A lot of these conversations miss the role and responsibility of the State, as Ralph Miliband wrote about.

When seeking to engage stakeholders, it is important to get beyond your mission message, and your goals and objectives. Challenge yourself to think more about what is interesting and important to the particular group you are targeting and how that intersects with your mission. Don't assume what you have to say is very meaningful without knowing your audience. See the world from your stakeholders perspective and find common ground through mutual values and aspirations. Finding ways to get your stakeholders involved with their time will lead to their insight and if stewarded correctly, their ongoing support.

Just because your mission is important does not mean it will be successful, and just because it is working today, it may not work tomorrow. Innovation is the pathway to resiliency, to overcoming unforeseen obstacles, because it requires leaders to constantly question how it can be better. And it calls for good listening skills - listening to input, most importantly from new team members who are not limited to "the way we've always done it". Innovation will naturally happen when goals are clear and there is a hunger to close the gap and be a good steward of resources. Try changing your messaging, altering your target market, get outside the box to experiment and track your results. Insights lead to innovation.

Yeah, you need to be able to evaluate. If you’re new to evaluation, it may be helpful to start with implementation. That is, are you doing when you intend to do. Frequent checks and feedback loops can help you refine your program or service to get you closer to achieving your goals.

It is important to consider the type of goal (financial, programatic, operational), audience (funder, C-Suite, or board) assessing the root cause of the “failure” or problem. Also any indicators that set off the “alarm”. —As President or CEO was a fund raising target missed. Will this impact future operations, staffing, and sustainability? —As a funder, was there a contractual short fall in meeting a benchmark e.g. maintaining X% beneficiaries on treatment. Is a performance improvement plan (PIP) needed to course correct? Ideally the organization, board, and funders have a steering committee to host regular communications. KPIs are monitored routinely to course correct or provide incentives for achievements & high impact innovations.

A struggling non-profit must work on improving their public image and standing. Over the years the public standing may have plateaued or may have become stagnant. The non-profit need continuous and deliberate efforts to increase their visibility among the community and stakeholders and adopt new approaches to showcase their impactful work. This will ultimately will open new doors and opportunities for the organization. The primary goal of public visibility lies with the organization's board, their passion to advocate and uphold the mission pays huge dividends