Not-for-profit organizations represent a significant hiring pool for new graduat

Not-for-profit organizations represent a significant hiring pool for new graduates in the United States. Not-for-profit organizations are identified by the absence
of a monetary profit goal. Typically, the not-for-profit organization’s existence is based on a desire to provide a public benefit. Not-for-profit organizations exist
across industries and are present in education, healthcare, development, and environmental agencies. Examples of not-for-profit organizations include Doctors
without Borders, the American Red Cross, Teach for America, and the World Food Program.
Not-for-profit organizations require leaders who can manage them as businesses while understanding the needs of the communities they serve. For this project,
you will conduct a strategic analysis of a not-for-profit organization of your choice; in so doing, you will develop the critical skills necessary for leadership and
management careers within the not-for-profit business sector. To conduct your analysis, you will identify key financial considerations, explore unique public
relations considerations, and consider issues of sustainability within organizations with a not-for-profit designation. This project will increase your versatility as a
leader and improve your appeal as a potential employee within the not-for-profit business sector. The final product represents an authentic demonstration of
competency because it asks you to critically evaluate factors that contribute to the overall success of a not-for-profit organization.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure the quality of your
final submission. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, and Seven. The final product will be submitted in Module Nine. Remember that
you final submission will include a conclusion that summarizes the milestone work in a closing section.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
 Evaluate management strategies and organizational structures of not-for-profit organizations for their effectiveness in managing boards, volunteers, and
staff
 Analyze communication strategies used by not-for-profit organizations for how they advance shared values, attitudes, and goals with all stakeholders
 Analyze resource and budgetary considerations within not-for-profit organizations for determining potential challenges to financial operations
 Analyze ethical considerations within not-for-profit entities for their impact on public image
 Evaluate how operational strengths and weaknesses of not-for-profit organizations impact their long-term sustainability
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Prompt
For this project, you will choose a not-for-profit organization of your choice—it must be a 501(c)(3) organization—and develop a strategic analysis. You will report
on key areas of the organization and evaluate each for its effectiveness in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization. Use the following question to
guide your strategic analysis: To what extent is your chosen not-for-profit organization operating to ensure its continued sustainability?
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction: Introduce your chosen organization, supplying background information relevant to communicating your strategic analysis. Consider
information such as when, where, and how the organization was founded.
II. Analysis
a) Leadership:
i. Discuss the specific board structure present in your chosen organization, explaining the benefits of this structure.
ii. Discuss the current management strategies for recruiting, utilizing, and retaining human capital, including to what extent a succession
plan is in place.
iii. Evaluate the current leadership strategies and organizational structure for strengths and weaknesses in managing boards, volunteers,
and staff.
b) Communications:
i. Discuss the current communication strategies being used throughout the organization, internally and externally, for promoting the
organization’s shared values.
ii. Discuss the organization’s public relations strategies and specific branding techniques.
iii. Evaluate the current communication strategies for opportunities for advancing the goals of the organization both internally and
externally.
c) Finances:
i. Discuss the organization’s current budgetary resources, structure, and responsibilities.
ii. Discuss the organization’s current fundraising campaigns, grant possibilities, and planned giving opportunities and their impact on the
overall budget.
iii. Determine potential challenges to the financial operation of the organization based on your analysis of its overall financial management.
d) Ethics:
i. Discuss the organization’s handling of budget and fundraising transparency, specifically in regards to its adherence to established codes,
principles, and ethics of the industry.
ii. Discuss ethical considerations the organization faces related to conflict of interest, privacy, and compensation.
iii. Evaluate how the ethical operation of this organization has impacted its public image.
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III. Evaluation
a) Summarize the most significant strengths and weaknesses of the not-for-profit organization.
b) Evaluate the organization’s long-term sustainability under the current operational strategies. Consider how the major strengths and weaknesses
of this organization factor into its sustainability.
IV. Conclusion: Summarize your position on the organization’s long-term sustainability, including suggestions for the organization to support future
sustainability. Support each suggestion with your rationale.
Milestones
Milestone One: Organizational Profile
In Module Three, you will develop a detailed profile of the not-for-profit organization on which you will perform your strategic analysis. This milestone will be
graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Leadership and Communication
In Module Five, you will analyze the leadership strategies and communication practices of the not-for-profit organization on which you will perform your strategic
analysis. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Financial Management and Ethics
In Module Seven, you will analyze the financial management and ethical practices of the not-for-profit organization on which you will perform your strategic
analysis. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Strategic Analysis of a Not-for-Profit Organization
In Module Nine, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should
reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. Conclude your plan by applying the knowledge you have gained over the course of the
project. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric