Building Capacity in Nonprofit Human Service Agencies Through Organizational Assessment During the Accreditation Process

Authors

  • Brenda Williams-Gray Lehman College/CUNY Social Work Dept

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2016-V6-I2-6499

Keywords:

capacity building, organizational assessment, self-assessment, accreditation, nonprofit human service organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of organizational self-assessment as a tool to enhance organizational capacity in nonprofit human service agencies when it is performed as part of an accreditation process. Eighty-eight organizations completed a self-assessment pretest designed to measure capacity at the beginning of an accreditation process and then the same self-assessment posttest at the end of the accreditation process. The findings reveal that 59% of these organizations demonstrated an increase in capacity. Organizations identified their greatest capacity challenges. The findings mostly support the premise that organizational self-assessment is a beneficial process in building capacity. 

Author Biography

Brenda Williams-Gray, Lehman College/CUNY Social Work Dept

Assistant Professor in the Social Work Dept at Lehman College

Research interests include orgaizational leadership and capacity; cultural competence & diversity; and resiliency

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Published

2016-03-31

Issue

Section

Articles