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.

And donors want those results to be achieved as efficiently as possible. 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.

Knowledge is the key to maximizing the good a donor's giving achieves. Information is needed about which organizations are working in various sectors, which strategies they employ, how effective they are, and what needs they have. Ideally, this information is comparative, highlighting the pros and cons of alternate organizations.

Gathering and presenting this analysis is at the core of our client work. We provide the needed information and perspective to help donors make fully informed contributions. Donors obtain sound data on which to base their decisions, and thus, peace of mind. Occasionally, clients determine not to give based on our findings. Either way, commitments are deepened and decisions are more informed.

Charity Discovery
When a donor knows the impact he or she seeks, but has not identified the best organization to achieve the desired outcome, we use a thorough process to discover organizations that meet the client’s criteria. The process includes surveys, interviews, reference checks, board member interviews, and public record research. We conclude the search by recommending 2-3 finalists that meet the requirements. We then conduct site visits and investigate any residual issues in order to select the grantee. For smaller gifts, this process can be abbreviated. Our due diligence ensures that a donor will be supporting an organization that not only aligns with his/her passions, but also matches desired organizational criteria.

Charity Evaluation
Sometimes a donor is familiar with a charitable organization but needs more detailed information or an independent assessment. An evaluation may be focused on the organization as a whole, or on a program of the ministry. We seek to assess an entity’s suitability or effectiveness. We work with a client to jointly develop criteria against which measurement or decisions will be made. We can review or evaluate an organization in a particular area as requested by a client, or comprehensively using our 11-point analysis. We typically provide a written review or analysis of organizations using one of four products.

Charity Brief:	2-page detailed factual overview of an organization
Advisory Memorandum:	6-10-page customized analytical report rendering advice on an issue
Strategic and Operational Audit:	15-20-pages of comprehensive narrative and graphs to describe an organization under 11 headings
Due Diligence:	20-100-page report providing description and in-depth analysis of strengths, weaknesses, problems, and/or client-defined issues.

Click on the title of the product to load a 1-page Product Preview PDF file describing it.

Project Identification
At times a client seeks to identify a need to fund within a known organization. In this case, we offer a Project Digest–a detailed 2-page description and analysis of a discrete project or program within the nonprofit, involving a general recommendation as to the advisability of funding. Conditions may apply to the recommendation.

Recommendation Letter for Charity
Often our clients want us to draft a letter containing recommendations for the charities or ministries we’ve investigated. A Recommendation Letter suitable for a client to share with nonprofit executives can accompany any of the above reports, but only at the request of the client. This is not to be confused with recommendations we make to our clients as donors.