Guest Writer | Barbara Ferguson

As a proactive approach, a formal Needs Assessment should be part of an annual planning process with input from staff, board members, volunteers and other stakeholders.   By formalizing the process, the risk of confusing “wants” with “needs” is significantly reduced.

One effective way of soliciting ideas is brainstorming.  Individuals involved in the brainstorming session should be well aware of the organization’s goals as identified in the strategic plan.   After the brainstorm, common ideas can be grouped and prioritized using the following questions as a tool:

• Does this need relate to the mission of the organization?
• Will this identified need help us reach our goals?
• Is this truly a “need” or a “want”?
• Is this a need over the short, medium or long-term?
• Does this need belong to us or would it be better fulfilled by another organization?
• What is a reasonable time frame for this need?

Those ideas that are deemed to not meet the organization’s goals should be discarded.  The ideas that are a fit should be further prioritized and given a realistic timeframe.

The next step in the process is to assign costs to the need in order to build a budget for the case for support.  It is important to make sure all costs are included.

Some common associated costs for needs of non-profit organizations include: 

• Personnel (be sure to include all items related to this category including salaries, benefits, professional development, travel costs) Facility (rent, operating costs, facility upgrades)
• Equipment
•  Technology
•  Program-related items

Do not forget that many projects and initiatives have administrative costs associated with success.  Be sure to include these costs in your budgeting process.

Guest Writer

_{Barbara Ferguson has been the Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Calgary since November, 2001.  She has more than 15 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector in the areas of fund development, leadership and public relations.  She has had the privilege to work with non-profit organizations including the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, Alberta Ballet, Lunchbox Theatre and the Terry Fox Foundation.  Barbara studied Business Administration with a major in marketing.  Barbara is actively involved in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Calgary Chapter.  She has served on the Board of Directors and co-chaired National Philanthropy Day.}