Application

The elements of my graduate coursework that I enjoyed the most were those that provided opportunities for me to practically engage with real nonprofit organizations. I learn most from others' real experiences, so having the chance to work with nonprofit leaders who are genuine and passionate about their work was an essential part of my studies.

The artifact I chose is a project where my partner and I conducted an audit of Penelope House, a nonprofit organization in Mobile, Alabama that provides services to women and their families who have been impacted by domestic violence. We specifically looked at the organization’s policies and board bylaws and standing rules; we also had multiple meetings with the organization's executive director. We then formulated a report, providing feedback on areas of strength, as well as areas of improvement. The sections of this report that I wrote were Annual Budget, Financial Performance, and Investments; Resource Allocation for Programs and Administration; Accuracy and Truthfulness of Fundraising Materials; and Oversight of Fundraisers. Working on this project taught me not only how to critically consider how NGOs can optimize their policies and thus maximize their impact, but also how to balance what are considered best practices with what best serves an organization's stakeholders.