Organizational Strategic Assessment Program FAQ

The Strategic Assessment Program is a comprehensive evaluation tool designed to help organizations gain deeper insights into their operational strengths and identify targeted areas for improvement. This assessment examines critical organizational elements including governance structures, risk management protocols, and internal systems to position your organization for sustainable growth and enhanced funding opportunities

This assessment is ideal for: 

• Nonprofit organizations seeking to strengthen their operational foundation 
• Creative organizations looking to improve their competitive edge for grants 
• Emerging organizations wanting to establish robust governance and management practices 
• Established organizations preparing for growth or expansion 
• Any organization seeking to enhance their grant application success rate 

The assessment includes approximately 170 questions that examine five key operational areas: 

Organizational Structure: Leadership frameworks, decision-making processes, board effectiveness, organizational hierarchy, financial controls, reporting mechanisms, and fiscal responsibility 

Programming: Event plans, target audience, program purpose, budgeting practices, marketing, promotions, sponsorships, partnerships and surveys  

Community Engagement: Engagement delivery methods, outcome measurement, stakeholder engagement, audience retention and impact assessment 

Resource Development: Operational processes, technology infrastructure, communication channels, and workflow efficiency 

Venue & Accessibility: Risk identification, mitigation strategies, compliance measures, and contingency planning 

Each assessment category typically requires two hours to complete thoroughly, depending on your organization’s complexity and staff capacity. We recommend:

• Allocating dedicated time blocks rather than rushing through sections
• Involving key stakeholders in relevant sections by adding them as a collaborator
• Gathering necessary documents and data beforehand
• Taking breaks between sections to ensure thoughtful responses
• Being HONEST in your responses – even if that means waiting on others to complete their section

To maximize the assessment’s effectiveness, gather:

• Organizational charts and governance documents
• Financial statements and budgets from the past two to three years
• Current policies and procedures manuals
• Strategic plans and mission statements
• Previous grant applications and awards
• Staff and volunteer handbooks
• Board meeting minutes and annual reports

1. Register through Submittable once you receive link and review questions 
2. Schedule time with staff to discuss the assessment and why you are taking it 
3. Gather recommended materials and involve key stakeholders 
4. Complete the assessment at your own pace within the designated timeframe 
5. Review your results and schedule follow-up support sessions with the Community Arts Development team and your primary staff 

1. The assessment is accessible via Submittable. CAD staff will send you a direct link to the assessment once it has been determined that you are eligible.  
2. Complete the initial form with your organization’s information.  
3. CAD staff will assign each section of the assessment and associated deadlines based on a timeline determined by you and CAD staff.  
4. Organizations that receive our Operating Support Grant will receive the Tier 2 assessment, organizations that receive our Project Grant for Organizations will receive the Tier 1 assessment, and organizations that have yet to receive grant funding from us are eligible for the Basic assessment.  

Upon completion, you’ll receive: 

• A comprehensive report highlighting organizational strengths 
• Detailed recommendations for improvement areas 
• Prioritized action items with implementation timelines 
• Resource lists and best practice examples 
• Templates and tools for ongoing organizational development 
• A list of vetted consultants recommended by the Nevada Arts Council 

Following your assessment, you’ll have access to: 

Technical Assistance: Personalized support to address identified development areas with the Community Arts Development staff 

Program Support: Guidance on implementing recommended improvements 

Grant Preparation Resources: Tools, templates and webinars to strengthen future funding applications 

Networking Opportunities: Connections with other organizations and creative professionals 

Follow-up Consultations: Scheduled check-ins to track progress and provide ongoing support 

The assessment strengthens grant applications by: 

• Providing comprehensive organizational data required for most grant applications 
• Identifying and addressing weaknesses that might concern other funders  
• Documenting organizational capacity and readiness for funded projects 
• Creating a portfolio of evidence demonstrating organizational effectiveness 
• Ensuring alignment between organizational capacity and proposed project scope 

Yes, all assessment responses and organizational information remain strictly confidential. Data is used solely for:

• Generating your personalized assessment report
• Providing tailored recommendations and support
• Aggregate analysis to improve the assessment tool (with all identifying information removed)
• Provide the Nevada Arts Council with data to help support funding requests in alignment with state and federal funders

Absolutely. We encourage involving multiple perspectives by: 

• Having different staff members complete sections relevant to their expertise by adding them as a collaborator on Submittable 
• Conducting team discussions before finalizing responses 
• Including board members in governance-related sections 
• Ensuring diverse viewpoints are represented in the assessment 

We recommend conducting the assessment:  

• Every two years as part of strategic planning processes 
• Before major organizational changes or expansions 
• Prior to launching significant grant application campaigns 
• Following leadership transitions or structural changes 
• When preparing for accreditation or evaluation processes 

Support is available throughout the process: 

• Phone and email support during business hours 
• Scheduled consultation calls for complex questions 
• Technical assistance with data gathering or interpretation 

The Strategic Assessment Program is offered at no cost to qualifying organizations. This investment in organizational development is designed to strengthen the overall capacity of the creative and nonprofit sectors.

Our assessment is specifically designed to: 

• Focus on practical, actionable improvements rather than theoretical frameworks 
• Align directly with grant application requirements and funder expectations 
• Provide immediate access to implementation resources and ongoing support 
• Support all Operating Support Grant recipients through the Nevada Arts Council 
• Deliver results that directly translate into competitive advantages for funding opportunities