The document outlines a self-assessment tool for organizational sustainability with 6 sections scored from 0-3: 1) financial practices, 2) fund development, 3) strategic thinking and planning, 4) capacity to innovate, 5) leadership and governance, and 6) community collaboration. Each section contains criteria for evaluating an organization's sustainability efforts in that area, with 0 representing no efforts and 3 representing excellent, metrics-driven efforts. The tool is intended to help non-profits assess their financial sustainability.

1. Sustainability Framework: Self-Assessment Tool
#1 Financial Practices 0-3 # 2 Fund Development 0-3
Clear short and long term financial goals, which outline
minimum income and costs required to deliver the stated
mandate and mission
Fund development is an active priority for the
organization supported by appropriate resources
Clear and transparent financial reporting, which is robust
and instructive and can be used strategically to aid in
decisions
There is a diverse range of income sources (specifically
a minimum of 5 income sources representing at least
60% of earnings)
Funds are used efficiently and transparently, thus aiding in
promoting organizational legitimacy
The organization has its own income generation
mechanisms to produce unrestricted assets that can
be used at the organization’s discretion
#3 Strategic Thinking & Planning 0-3 #4 The Capacity to Innovate 0-3
Sustainability is a deliberate and strategic approach by
board and staff and mission attainment is considered
alongside revenue assurance
The organization has adopted entrepreneurial
approaches, for-profit strategies and exhibits sector
blurring or bending
The organization has strong, effective leadership and a
proper, functioning governance model
There is evidence of interdisciplinary community
collaboration to address limitations within services
There are well articulated strategic and operational plans
with ongoing performance monitoring and analysis
The organization has effective knowledge
management, exhibits systems thinking and can
effectively utilize, collect and deploy social capital
Grading
0 – not applicable/not present/no organizational awareness or not a focus of the organization
1 – applicable/in development/insufficient or limited data to support or evaluate
2 – fair and reasonable or standard/some data to support or evaluate
3 – superior organizational awareness/excellent metrics/extensive results
Source
Williams, K. S. (2014). Non-profit financial
sustainability. Master’s thesis. Royal Roads
University, British Columbia. Retrieved from:
http://dspace.royalroads.ca/docs/handle/10170/747