B04: New Frameworks for Measuring Capacity and Assessing Performance
Track
Supporting Nonprofit Resilience
Session Designer
Julie Simpson, TCC Group
Session Description
If we start with the assumption that — in order to improve our social sector as a whole — those who do the work to strengthen our communities (the nonprofits) are equally as critical as those responsible for providing the resources for the work to get done (the foundations), then why wouldn’t we expect all social sector actors to build their capacity? How do we know when our grantees and our foundations are becoming more effective and impactful as a result of our capacity investments, organizational development efforts and technical assistance? What does a high performing organization or foundation look like? And can we measure that? This session will review and demonstrate existing resources for assessing nonprofit and foundation capacity and effectiveness. Speakers will introduce the pros and cons of a variety of rubrics in use in the field and offer guidance on how funders decide on the right fit for the desired purpose. In small groups, you will interpret an organizational assessment to target and prioritize the capacities to be built, and become familiar with the Leap of Reason’s new Performance Imperative Pillar Assessment. You will also hear directly from grantmaker peers who have used different frameworks and tools to assess individual nonprofits and grantee cohorts. You will leave the session with increased awareness of the importance of the facilitator’s role in interpreting data gleaned from assessments and of the data collection methods most appropriate for your organization. Finally, you will learn about initial next steps for selecting the appropriate assessment agenda for your organization and your grantees.
Session Designers
Julie Simpson, TCC Group
Speakers
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/1102/profile_c308a50290ecf7f6800a105161c2402d.png "Mary K. Winkler, Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy")
Mary K. Winkler, Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy
Biography
Mary Kopczynski Winkler is a senior research associate in the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute. She has been actively involved in various projects focused on strategic planning and the development of performance measurement systems for government and nonprofit programs. Kopczynski Winkler has 20 years of research and management experience in both government and nonprofit sector programs covering a broad range of policy areas, including adolescents, at-risk youth, education reform and federal policy, performance measurement, and public management. She received her BA from Bryn Mawr College and her MPA from American University.
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/1076/profile_48ec494eb4073b3247689a8af2444e37.png "Julie Simpson, TCC Group")
Julie Simpson, TCC Group
Biography
Julie Simpson is Director of Nonprofit Strategy and Capacity Building at the TCC Group. Over the past 25 years Simpson has helped numerous organizations develop and implement strategic plans, design new business models, and evaluate programs. Simpson also served as the executive director for Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education, founding director of the Cricket Island Foundation in New York City, and co-founder of Benevolent.net, an philanthropic social network that fosters direct connections between individual donors and those in need. Simpson received her Master’s in Educational Policy and Curriculum Development from New York University after receiving a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College.
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/1240/profile_8c3aceab5b91ed288719ac973d350095.png "Tyrone Spann, Transformative Nonprofit Solutions, Inc.")
Tyrone Spann, Transformative Nonprofit Solutions, Inc.
Biography
Tyrone Spann is the former Community Program Director for the Foundations of East Chicago. For 18 years, his responsibilities with the foundation included managing all aspects of the organization’s grant activities and representing it within the community on various boards and committees. He is currently the President of Transformative Nonprofit Solutions, Inc. In addition, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Vice-Chairman for Indiana Blacks in Philanthropy organization and is an Advisory Board member for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Northwest. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and a MBA from the University of Illinois.