Summary

Their leadership team learned that supporters were frustrated with a lack of organization and strategic vision. As a result, donations of time and money were beginning to decline, and their impact on the community was decreasing. In addition, throughout their 20 years, there seemed to be a number of organizations formed seeking the same constituents and supporters.

The Background

Babies Needs Always is a nonprofit organization that provides mothers in need with all the essential education and items to care for their newborn babies appropriately. Babies Needs Always began as a local organization in the Chicago area and quickly grew to a state level. As Babies Needs Always embarked on its 20th year of existence they began to lose their way

The Solution

Babies Needs Always conducted a comprehensive program evaluation audit, examining the organization from a strategic and goal-oriented perspective. They performed interviews with stakeholders and a thorough document review to gain a holistic view of the situation. Based on the evaluation results, they developed a plan to increase staff communications with supporters and the public and realign the organization to meet the changing needs of the community at large.

Lessons Learned

Not only did the organization begin to run more efficiently, employee ownership of the nonprofit`s vision and values increased significantly. The results of the turnaround were so impressive that the organization received statewide recognition for its top quality management practices.