SWOT (STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES

AND THREATS) QUESTIONNAIRE

Please complete the survey below and return by <Insert Day, Date>. Please be honest and thorough in your
responses. Insert explanatory comments where appropriate. Please direct any questions to <Insert Email
Address>.

STRENGTHS

1. What are the top 3 strengths of Organization XYZ? Please explain each.
2. Organization XYZ stands out from similar charitable organizations in the community.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

3. What are the advantages intrinsic to Organization XYZ?

4. What other things does Organization XYZ do well?
5. What are the primary sources of Organization XYZ’s revenue?
6. Organization XYZ has a pool of skilled and motivated volunteers and employees.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

7. Organization XYZ manages and leverages information technology (IT) effectively.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

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  Strongly disagree

Comment:

8. Organization XYZ has shown ability to adapt and change quickly.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

9. Does Organization XYZ have the resources to adequately provide services for our market?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

If no, explain where resources are in need:

10. Which “channel” (e.g., word-of-mouth referrals, direct marketing, social media, other marketing vehicles, etc.)
is the major source of recipients for Organization XYZ services?
Is this information being formally tracked & monitored?
11. How well does Organization XYZ maintain contact with volunteers and donors? How often on average?

 Frequently (once per month)

 Regularly (once per quarter)

 Occasionally (once in six months)

 Never

Comment:

12. Organization XYZ is well-known within the community.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

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 WEAKNESSES

1. What are the top 3 weaknesses of Organization XYZ? Please explain.

2. What do your people often complain about?
3. What could be improved on by Organization XYZ?
4. In what areas do other charities in the community have an edge over you?
5. What can Organization XYZ do better to more effectively market itself and promote growth?
6. Organization XYZ is inferior to other not-for-profit charities on the use of technology.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

7. Can virtually anyone understand your mission and value/benefits that your services provide?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t know

Comment:

OPPORTUNITIES

1. What are the top 3 opportunities for growth in the next 3-5 years?
2. Organization XYZ is well-positioned to take on the demands of the <Insert City> market:

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:
3. What else, if anything, should Organization XYZ be offering to the community?
4. What other possible sources of revenue should be explored that haven’t to date?

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5. There are possibilities in the community for strategic alliances and partnerships.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:
6. What are the developments in the <Insert City> market that can make other not-for-profit charities vulnerable?
7. Organization XYZ is better positioned than other charities to meet the needs of the community.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:
8. Are there any undiscovered/new marketing channels that can be used?

THREATS

1. List the top 3 threats to Organization XYZ’s growth and accomplishment of strategic objectives?
2. Other not-for-profit charities are increasingly becoming stronger than Organization XYZ.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

3. What is the biggest restraint to the growth of Organization XYZ?

4. Are there emerging trends that amplify one of Organization XYZ’s weaknesses?
5. Internally, does Organization XYZ have financial, developmental or other problems?
6. What are other not-for-profit charities doing better?
7. What are the obstacles that Organization XYZ faces in seizing the opportunities at hand?
8. What obstacles does Organization XYZ face in operating its business?

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9. Is Organization XYZ losing volunteers or donors to other not-for-profit charities?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:

GENERAL

1. The Organization XYZ mission statement is clearly articulated and understood.

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
2. Company leadership is effective at creating a culture of collaboration and coordination among the various
groups (board of directors [BOD], leadership, junior board) of the organization.

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
3. Are there clearly defined and documented roles and responsibilities (including BOD, leadership, employees
and junior board) within the organization?
4. What is the primary role of the junior board? Is this clearly communicated by the BOD/leadership and clearly
understood?
What should the primary role of the junior board be?
5. The marketing/advertising of Organization XYZ is very effective.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

6. Has Organization XYZ been able to effectively market itself and bring services to the <Insert City> community?

 Yes

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  No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
7. Is Organization XYZ able to attract volunteers, employees and donors?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
8. The volunteer retention for Organization XYZ has been very strong in the past three years.

 Strongly agree

 Agree

 Neutral

 Disagree

 Strongly disagree

Comment:

9. The board composition includes an appropriate complement of skills to effectively oversee and guide
Organization XYZ during this period of change and growth.

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

What skill area(s) are underrepresented on the board?

10. The process for deciding on the strategic allocation of resources is sound and involves consideration of all
appropriate viewpoints.

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
11. What are the biggest expenditures of the company?
12. Does Organization XYZ do a good job of partnering and collaborating with other organizations in the
community to realize synergies? What suggestions do you have for improvement?
13. Of the following potential priorities for Organization XYZ, please select your top 3:

 Reinforce Organization XYZ alignment with mission

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  Expand marketing initiatives, including social media, area partnerships, etc.

 Expand or replace existing fundraising events

 Expand existing services

 Expand board of directors

 Complete the capital campaign

 Complete some or all phases of the building renovation

 Expand membership levels

 Identify and implement new sources of revenue

 Increase involvement of senior management

 Increase involvement of BOD/advisory board

 Other

Comment:

MANAGEMENT

1. Do you feel supported by the board?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

In what ways could the board do a better job of supporting the organization’s growth?
2. Comment on the board’s level of involvement in the following broad areas.

 Establishment of the annual budget

Too little Sufficient Too much

 Employment and hiring decisions

Too little Sufficient Too much

 Business strategy and services provided

Too little Sufficient Too much

 Promoting and marketing the organization in the community

Too little Sufficient Too much

 Reviewing financial performance and tracking against budget

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 Too little Sufficient Too much

 Day-to-day operations

Too little Sufficient Too much

 Other role (please explain)

Please explain where you think the board’s involvement needs to be increased/decreased:

BOARD MEMBERS

1. How would you rate the quality and relevance of management reporting to the board?

 Great

 Adequate

 Neutral

 Inadequate

In what areas could the board and management reporting be improved?

2. Is the highest and best use made of individual board members’ time and talent?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
3. Is the highest and best use made of board capabilities as a whole?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:
4. Are efforts to cultivate the next generation of board leaders effective?

 Yes

 No

 Don’t Know

Comment:

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