In addition to being Maricopa County based, organizations chosen this year must be:

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2 Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program (NSTEP Program) ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership & Management s comprehensive program for assessing and enriching nonprofit organizations The ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management increases the leadership and management capacity of nonprofits in our area through a variety of capacity building initiatives. We invite you to review our website at that describes the variety of research, education and technical assistance activities developed to support nonprofit sector needs. The purpose of this letter is to introduce you and your organization to one specific opportunity that invites selected area nonprofits to participate in our newly redesigned Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program (NSTEP Program). The NSTEP Program is a unique partnership between the academic and practitioner communities that builds upon and connects the research and knowledge of Arizona State University faculty and staff with the expertise and experiences of those working within the larger nonprofit community. NSTEP is the evolution of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership & Management s (CNLM) Nonprofit Self-Assessment Program which began in 2000 and was built upon the Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool. To date, 20 Arizona nonprofit organizations have participated in the Nonprofit Organizational Self-Assessment Program. Based on insights from past participants, community members and scholarly research, the newly designed NSTEP Program builds upon and expands the original self-assessment program. It is the ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management s belief that in order to be successful, organizations must look both inside and outside of themselves and the NSTEP Program gives participating agencies the opportunity to do just that. NSTEP agencies look inside to their mission, internal operations, resources, and what they must do to achieve results in the future; and outside to the environment within which they operate, the opportunities and challenges facing them, and to their stakeholders and what their stakeholders value. By actively participating in the program, you have the potential to transform your organization through a thoughtfully designed and relevant approach to capacity building that focuses on mission and outcomes. Throughout the NSTEP Program, agencies work to clarify their focus, add stability, and increase organizational capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness. The NSTEP program provides a unique opportunity for board, staff, and stakeholders to engage in a challenging and collaborative process that aims to convert knowledge into effective action. Through participating in the program, NSTEP agencies learn to recognize the opportunities that are appropriate to their individual resources, strengths and competencies in order to better serve the community.

3 Thanks to support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Stardust Foundation, CNLM has tested new ideas around organizational capacity building facilitated by an active university-community partnership. We are currently inviting applications from Maricopa County-based nonprofits to be a part of the NSTEP Program s inaugural cohort. In addition to being Maricopa County based, organizations chosen this year must be: Registered by the IRS as a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt, nonprofit organization In compliance with all applicable Arizona State laws and regulations as designated by the State of Arizona's Corporate Commission Willing to make a nine month commitment to the NSTEP process Enclosed in this packet is the request for proposal that serves as our invitation for your organization to become one of the five chosen for inclusion in the newly redesigned Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program (NSTEP Program). The application explains more about the process, the time commitment required by the agency, anticipated costs and the benefits. If you have any questions about the NSTEP Program s Request for Proposal, please contact Kelly Campbell at the above contact information. Thank you for your ongoing interest in the Center and we look forward to your continued participation in our endeavors.

4 PHASES OF THE NSTEP PROGRAM Phase 1- Explore: Looking outside to clarify, understand, & draw the bigger picture Mission, Vision & Values External Environment Customers, Clients, and Stakeholders Stakeholder Retreat (big-picture facilitated discussion) Phase 2- Examine: Looking inside to narrow the scope, analyze, and prepare for the strategic plan Leadership & Governance Operational Management and Infrastructure Strategic Planning Phase 3- Evolve: Using what s been learned, creating the plan, & moving into action Drafting strategic plan (on own with CNLM consultant) Review and Assessment of Plan (with CNLM) 2006 NSTEP PROGRAMMATIC CALENDAR December 2, 2005 RFP open to public January 5 and January 10, 2006 Public Information Sessions about the NSTEP Program January 31 RFP deadline February RFP Applicant Interviews with NSTEP Selection Committee February Selected Agencies Notified Between February 20- March 3 Individual agency meetings/orientation with CNLM Leadership March 3 CNLM March Forum & public announcement of selected agencies Week of March 6-10 Kick-off & Mission Workshop (full-day) Week of April 3-7 Environmental Scan/External Environment Workshop (full-day) Week of May 1-5 Customers, Clients, Stakeholders Workshop (full-day) Month of June Agencies prepare and host facilitated stakeholder retreats (full-day) Week of July Leadership & Board Governance Workshop (half-day) Week of August 7-10 Organizational Infrastructure Workshop (half-day) Week of September Strategic Planning Workshop (full-day) Between September 15- November 17 Strategic Planning on own with CNLM Consultant (10 hours) November 17 Strategic Plan due to ASU (can submit anytime before if completed) November 20-December 15 Strategic Plan review with agency and CNLM strategic planning team December 7-8 Annual Nonprofit Conference and recognition luncheon Items in bold are one-day workshops held during the week listed

5 INCLUDED IN THE NSTEP PROGRAM Participating NSTEP Agencies Receive: A trained facilitator to guide participants through the workshops, reports, retreat, and strategic planning process High quality educational workshops that include assessment, learning, and application components Training with multiple assessment tools and strategies that the organizations can continue to use after completion of the program Access to leading educators and research on organizational effectiveness issues A compiled report of interviews with key internal and external stakeholders A record of documentation of the large facilitated retreat Designated CNLM staff support Public recognition at the CNLM statewide conferences at the beginning and end of the program By the conclusion of the NSTEP program, NSTEP Teams will have developed and/or received the following documents and reports that can be used to guide future decision-making and planning: Internal Organizational History & Summary Environmental Scan Customer Research Depth Interview Reports Retreat Documentation Report Multiple Organizational Assessment Tools Strategic Plan

6 Application Deadline TUESDAY, January 31, 2006 Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program (NSTEP Program) 2006 Participant Application BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE ORGANIZATION NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP TELEPHONE FAX ADDRESS WEB SITE ADDRESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO PERSON TO CONTACT ABOUT THIS APPLICATION CONTACT TITLE TELEPHONE AGENCY FEDERAL TAX ID # HOW LONG IN OPERATION AS A 501 (3) NONPROFIT TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION NUMBER OF PAID STAFF NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS Organizations are encouraged to complete their applications online. Please go to to submit your application. Applications must be electronically submitted, postmarked, or hand-delivered to the CNLM office by 5pm on January 31, Late applications will not be accepted. If you do not have access to online services or would prefer to submit a paper application, please send your typewritten and completed application by TUESDAY, January 31, 2006 at 5:00 PM to: Kelly Campbell ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management P.O. Box Tempe, Arizona For more information or questions, please contact: Kelly Campbell at (480) or Kelly.campbell@asu.edu.

7 NARRATIVE FOR 2006 PARTICIPANT APPLICATION 1) Explain what you would most like us to know about your organization: your mission, purpose, target populations, geographic service area(s), major programs, etc. (Recommended length - One page) 2) What are your organization's strengths? What are you most proud of? (Recommended length-one page) 3) What are the major issues/concerns/challenges facing your organization over the next year? (Recommended length-one page) 4) Why would you want to participate in this program now and why do you believe your organization is ready to commit to a comprehensive assessment and planning program? (Recommended length-one page) 5) What does your organization expect to achieve through its participation in the Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program? (Recommended length-one-half page) 6) What will your organization do with the results and findings and how will the results be disseminated? (Recommended length- One-half page)

8 Your Agency Commitment Includes: As part of the RFP Process, the agency executive director and board chair will be expected to participate in a brief in-person interview with the NSTEP Selection Committee on either February 13 or 14, This interview is intended to allow the selection committee to ask questions and get clarification about the organization and its understanding of, and expectations for, the NSTEP Program. Having a readiness to learn, willingness to change, and commitment to an inclusive process with open communication throughout the organization Forming a small Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Team (NSTEP Team) of 6-8 people that typically includes the organization s executive director, one or two representatives from the board, 1-2 staff members, and other volunteers These NSTEP Team members length of commitment is for 9 months, beginning in March 2006 and ending with the completion of a strategic plan in November 2006 Paying the NSTEP organizational participant fee of $500. This fee goes towards covering part of the costs associated with educational materials and participant workbooks Participating in 6 full-day educational workshops Compiling and editing three key research reports, with assistance from the CNLM. A portion of this work is done during the educational workshops, but additional time and effort will be necessary between meetings on agencies own time Hosting and participating in one facilitated group discussion, encompassing one full day (8 hours total) with a representative cross-section of your organization and its volunteers (15-30 participants) Being responsible for locating and providing your own meeting space and equipment for the large facilitated retreat Any additional hours you deem necessary for preparation Agreeing to one to three years of evaluation feedback and appraisal of progress AGENCY AUTHORIZATION & COMMITMENT By signing below, we commit our organization to work in partnership with our fellow team members through the ASU CNLM Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program Agency Name: Executive Director: Signature Typed or Printed Name Date Board President: Signature Typed or Printed Name Date

9 Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management Nonprofit Strategic Evaluation & Planning Program PARTICIPANT APPLICATION CHECKLIST A completed 2006 Participant Application includes the following items: Basic Organizational Profile Sheet Narrative Segment for 2006 Participant Application Agency Authorization & Commitment Form signed by executive director and board chair. If completing the application online, this form should be faxed to Kelly Campbell at Roster of Current Board Members Copy of your agency s most recent IRS Form 990 or Initial here if your IRS 990 form is available via Guidestar*** Agreement to participate in a brief interview with NSTEP Selection committee ***Applications that do not include IRS 990 information will be considered incomplete. Please check to make sure your recent information is available on Guidestar before initialing this box ****DEADLINE**** Tuesday, January 31, :00 P.M.