This assessment takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. Your responses are used to generate a custom Governance Health Report scored against the 12 Points of Good Governance framework. All responses are confidential.
12
Governance Dimensions Assessed
Each scored 1–5
~25
Minutes to Complete
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1
Custom Report Delivered
Within 3–5 business days
60
Min. Debrief Call Included
With Dan Devine
Complete all fields before proceeding
Point 1 of 12
Rule of Law
A well-governed organization operates within a clear legal and policy framework — bylaws, conflict of interest policies, and compliance procedures that are documented, followed, and regularly reviewed.
Question 1.1
Does your organization have current, written bylaws or governing documents that are reviewed at least every 3 years?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Question 1.2
How consistently does your organization follow its own stated rules and procedures?
1 = Rarely followed · 5 = Always followed without exception
1Rarely
2Sometimes
3Usually
4Mostly
5Always
Question 1.3
Does your organization have a written conflict of interest policy that board members and key staff sign annually?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Question 1.4
What are the most significant gaps or challenges in your organization's legal and policy compliance? (Optional)
Point 1 of 12
Point 2 of 12
Transparency
Transparent organizations proactively share information about their finances, decisions, and operations with stakeholders — building the trust that sustains long-term legitimacy and support.
Question 2.1
How openly does your organization share financial information (budgets, audits, 990s) with stakeholders and the public?
1 = Not at all · 5 = Fully and proactively
1Not at all
2On request
3Partially
4Mostly
5Fully
Question 2.2
Are your organization's decision-making processes documented and communicated to members, donors, or constituents?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Question 2.3
How would you rate your organization's overall culture of openness and transparency internally (among staff and board)?
1 = Very closed · 5 = Fully open
1Very closed
2
3Moderate
4
5Fully open
Point 2 of 12
Point 3 of 12
Accountability
Accountable organizations have clear lines of responsibility, meaningful oversight mechanisms, and cultures where people — including leadership — answer for their actions and decisions.
Question 3.1
Does your organization have a functioning board or oversight body that actively reviews executive leadership's decisions?
Yes
Partially
No
N/A
Question 3.2
How effectively does your organization hold itself accountable to its stated mission, goals, and commitments to stakeholders?
1 = Not effectively · 5 = Very effectively
1
2
3
4
5
Question 3.3
When things go wrong, does your organization have a clear process for acknowledging mistakes, correcting course, and communicating with affected parties?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 3 of 12
Point 4 of 12
Participation
Strong civic organizations actively invite, enable, and value participation — from members, constituents, volunteers, and the communities they serve. Participation is not just welcomed; it is structured and meaningful.
Question 4.1
How actively does your organization seek input from its members, constituents, or community before making major decisions?
1 = Rarely or never · 5 = Consistently and systematically
1
2
3
4
5
Question 4.2
Does your organization have formal structures for volunteer and member participation (committees, working groups, advisory councils)?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Question 4.3
How would you rate participation levels among your volunteers, members, or constituents in the past 12 months?
1 = Very low / declining · 5 = Strong and growing
1Very low
2
3Moderate
4
5Strong
Point 4 of 12
Point 5 of 12
Local Power
Effective civic organizations are rooted in their communities — decisions are made as close to the people they affect as possible, and local knowledge and relationships are treated as essential assets.
Question 5.1
How deeply embedded is your organization in the local community it serves?
1 = Minimal local presence · 5 = Deeply rooted and trusted locally
1
2
3
4
5
Question 5.2
Are decisions made at the lowest appropriate level within your organization, giving front-line staff or community members meaningful authority?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 5 of 12
Point 6 of 12
Separation of Powers
No single person or faction should hold unchecked authority. Healthy organizations distribute power through checks, balances, and independent oversight — preventing concentration that leads to abuse or organizational fragility.
Question 6.1
How well does your organization distribute authority across different roles, committees, or bodies to prevent power from being concentrated in one person or group?
1 = Highly concentrated · 5 = Well distributed with real checks
1
2
3
4
5
Question 6.2
Does your organization have an independent body (board, audit committee, etc.) with real authority to check executive leadership?
Yes
Partially
No
N/A
Point 6 of 12
Point 7 of 12
Equity & Inclusion
Governance is only as strong as its inclusivity. Organizations that reflect the full diversity of their communities — in leadership, decision-making, and programming — are more resilient, more trusted, and more effective.
Question 7.1
How well does your organization's leadership reflect the demographic diversity of the community it serves?
1 = Very poorly · 5 = Strongly reflective
1
2
3
4
5
Question 7.2
Does your organization have explicit equity and inclusion policies — and are they meaningfully implemented?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 7 of 12
Point 8 of 12
Civic Education
Organizations that invest in civic education — for members, constituents, and the broader public — build more engaged, informed communities and demonstrate deeper commitment to democratic values than those focused purely on institutional self-interest.
Question 8.1
Does your organization actively invest in civic education — helping members or constituents understand governance, rights, and civic processes?
1 = Not at all · 5 = Central to our mission
1
2
3
4
5
Question 8.2
Do your own board members and key staff have a strong working knowledge of relevant laws, governance principles, and civic processes?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 8 of 12
Point 9 of 12
Free Press & Open Communication
Organizations that value open communication — internally and externally — are better governed, more trusted, and more resilient. This includes how you engage with media, communicate with the public, and protect internal dissent.
Question 9.1
How effectively does your organization communicate with the public and media about its work, positions, and impact?
1 = Very poorly · 5 = Very effectively
1
2
3
4
5
Question 9.2
Does your organization create safe channels for internal dissent, concerns, or whistleblowing without fear of retaliation?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 9 of 12
Point 10 of 12
Free & Fair Elections / Democratic Process
Whether your organization holds internal elections or works within electoral systems, commitment to free, fair, and transparent democratic processes is foundational — both internally and in how you engage the broader civic environment.
Question 10.1
If your organization holds internal elections (board, officers, delegates), how free and fair are they?
1 = Not at all free/fair · 5 = Fully free, fair, and transparent · N/A if no internal elections
1
2
3
4
5
N/A
Question 10.2
Does your organization actively support voter registration, civic participation, or election integrity in the communities it serves?
Yes
Partially
No
N/A
Point 10 of 12
Point 11 of 12
Civil Rights & Human Dignity
Organizations committed to good governance actively uphold and protect the civil rights and human dignity of all people — in their internal culture, their programming, and their public advocacy.
Question 11.1
How actively does your organization work to protect and advance the civil rights of the communities it serves?
1 = Not a focus · 5 = Central to our identity and work
1
2
3
4
5
Question 11.2
Does your organization have clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that are enforced?
Yes
Partially
No
Unsure
Point 11 of 12
Point 12 of 12
Public Trust & Institutional Integrity
The ultimate measure of good governance is the degree to which an organization has earned and maintained public trust — through consistent ethical behavior, honest communication, and demonstrated commitment to its stated values.
Question 12.1
How would you rate the level of public trust your organization currently holds within its community?
1 = Very low / damaged · 5 = High and well-earned
1
2
3
4
5
Question 12.2
Has your organization faced any significant public trust or reputational challenges in the past 3 years? If yes, please briefly describe.
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Question 12.3
What is the single most important governance improvement your organization could make in the next 12 months?
Point 12 of 12 — Almost done!
Final Step
Review & Submit
You've completed all 12 points of the governance assessment. Click Submit below to generate your preliminary score and send your responses to Civic Sphere. Your full Governance Health Report will be delivered within 3–5 business days.
Additional Notes
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Your Preliminary Governance Score
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Dan Devine will review your responses and deliver a complete Governance Health Report with detailed findings, dimension-by-dimension recommendations, and a proposed action plan within 3–5 business days.