Calvin Edwards & Company: Maximizing the Good of Giving

We believe that a donation is an investment—an investment in an organization that promises a return. The good achieved may be physical, spiritual, social, or in any number of areas. Thoughtful donors want to know that their funds yield a return in the lives of others. Just as they would pay close attention to a major investment in their retirement account, they likely care deeply about how their charitable gifts are deployed. And donors want those results to be achieved as efficiently as possible.

To meet these needs, Calvin Edwards & Company’s eleven Evaluation & Due Diligence products have been designed to provide donors with highly reliable analysis and insight into three areas: organizations, programs, and grants. The products vary widely for diverse purposes and grant sizes.

Click on any product name to view a Product Preview PDF.

Organizational Assessment
When you wish to obtain comprehensive insight into the current strategy and operations of an organization, these products describe and analyze what the organization does and how it does it. They vary in scope, depth of research, and the degree to which they are “descriptive” versus “investigative.” Recommendations can be included, upon client request.

An estimate of the size of each report is included in the description below. Explore further by clicking on a product to view a Product Preview PDF.

Product	Function
Charity Brief	Using 50⁺ key parameters, provides a quick snapshot of the current status of a nonprofit. Useful for “side-by-side” comparison (2 pages).
Charity Checkup	Provides a brief description and evaluation of a nonprofit, including a risk assessment (2 pages).
Nonprofit Examination	Offers a mid-level 360^o picture of an organization in an easy-to-read style, along with a high-level evaluation, and risk assessment (8 pages).
Strategic & Operational Audit	Presents comprehensive, thoroughly researched insight into the strategy & operations of an organization (15-20 pages).
Due Diligence	Combines a Strategic & Operational Audit with in-depth analysis of an organization & investigation of specific issues to underwrite a major donor commitment (75-100 pages).
Informational Memorandum	Provides independent, well-researched information on a specific issue at a nonprofit (4-10 pages).
Advisory Memorandum	Provides focused research & advice on a nonprofit issue (4-10 pages).

Program/Project Appraisal
Most major gifts are designated to a program or project, thus an assessment at a deeper level than the organization is called for. These products provide you information on whether a program effectively achieves its goals. Ultimately, the value of your philanthropic investment is determined by the impact that the supported program has on its target audience—and this is measured in terms of client outcomes, not merely activities accomplished or organizational outputs achieved.

An estimate of the size of each report is included in the description below. Explore further by clicking on a product to view a Product Preview PDF.

Product	Function
Project Digest	Briefly and precisely describes the details of a nonprofit’s project & highlights its connection to the organization’s larger mission (2 pages).
Project Inspection	Presents a basic overview & analysis of the degree of accomplishment of required deliverables by reporting observations from an on-site inspection (2 pages).
Program Evaluation	Evaluates if a program is effectively affecting its target audience, measured in client outcomes. Generally involves pre- and post-tests of clients (50⁺ pages)
Informational Memorandum	Provides independent, well-researched information on a specific issue pertaining to a project or program (4-10 pages).
Advisory Memorandum	Provides focused research & advice on a project or program issue (4-10 pages).

Grant Examination
Once a grant is made, you will often want to know how it was utilized, what was achieved. These products evaluate grant-funded activities; they report on achievements to date, effectiveness of strategy, fund utilization, administration and staff, and compliance with terms and conditions. If necessary, we will design remediation steps and advise you if subsequent funding is warranted and at what level.

An estimate of the size of each report is included in the description below. Explore further by clicking on a product to view a Product Preview PDF.

Product	Function
On-site Grant Review	Evaluates whether a nonprofit or program effectively met the agreed-upon deliverables regarding the grant; especially helpful for international gifts (6-12 pages).
Grant Evaluation	Provides a detailed review & analysis on how a sizable grant has been utilized (12⁺ pages).
Informational Memorandum	Provides independent, well-researched information on a specific issue pertaining to a grant or the project or program it supports (4-10 pages).
Advisory Memorandum	Provides focused research & advice on an issue related to a grant (4-10 pages).

All products are modified, if necessary, for your specific needs and situation. In addition, new products will be created to meet new needs from donors. We are constantly innovating.

The firm has experience researching and writing reports for clients who seek evaluation and due diligence around the world. Click here to see a list of countries in which we have assessed organizations, programs, and grants.

Click here to see this same category of products organized by functional classification.