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Current News

Due Diligence Tool: For Use in Pre-Grant Assessment

Since 2004, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations publishes a Due Diligence Tool for use in pre-grant assessments. I understand that this (available as a free 65 page PDF) is GEO's most popular resource. I'm not entirely clear on the methodology for developing the tool (this is one of those situations where they've identified "best practices" without explaining what makes them the best), but I think some of the guidelines and worksheets are quite useful. For example, the authors layout seven elements of a healthy nonprofit organization: (1) A Healthy Governance Function, (2) A Competent Executive Director, (3) A Sound Financial Management System, (4) A Workable, Legal, Human Resource Policy, (5) A Successful Fund Development Strategy, (6) A Clear, Consistent Message, and (7) A Good Program That Advances the Mission. Posted: 4/21/07; 3:27:18 PM #

World Bank Parody Site

Employees of the World Bank have been publishing a delightful parody of their organization entitled Bank Swirled. Even if you don't know what's going on at the World Bank these days (since a neoconservative architect of the Iraq War was put in charge), I think you'll find it very well done. It's especially relevant to those of you who travel in the same international development circles as the bank does. I would love to see more parody of civil society organizations. Got any leads? Posted: 4/21/07; 3:04:53 PM #

Twelve Breeds of Client and How to Work with Them

Many of my readers are consultants, but even if you're not, you may find some useful insights in FreelanceSwitch's article on the Twelve Breeds of Client and How to Work with Them. The author breaks things out this way: the Low Tech Client, the Uninterested Client, the Hands-On Client, the Paranoid Client, the Appreciative Client, the Get-A-Good-Deal Client, the I’ll-Know-It -When-I-See-It Client, the Always-Urgent Client, the Design-By-Committee Client, the Doormat Client, the Budget Client, and the You-Should-Be-So-Lucky Client. As a client, do you see yourself in there somewhere? What would the breeds of consultants be? Posted: 4/21/07; 3:00:46 PM #