CEP’s Multidimensional Assessment Process (MAP) provides foundations with an integrated assessment of performance based on comparative data collected from a variety of different sources, including grantees, declined applicants, foundation staff, and foundation board members. The MAP assimilates results and data from all of CEP’s assessment tools into key findings, implications, and recommended action steps for improved foundation performance. The process involves close consultation with experienced CEP staff, which has provided assessment data to more than 150 foundations, and is tailored to meet the specifics needs of individual foundations.

The MAP process typically takes six months and includes:

• An Operational Benchmarking Report (OBR) offering comparative data on dimensions such as allocation of staff resources, administrative spending, and staff workloads
  
• A Grantee Perception Report^® (GPR) presenting comprehensive and comparative data on grantee perceptions of the foundation – from quality of interactions and non-monetary assistance to information about the selection and evaluation processes
  
• An Applicant Perception Report (APR) distilling the perceptions of declined applicants
  
• A Comparative Board Report (CBR) illustrating board practices and structures relative to like foundations and summarizing the perceptions of board members on a range of questions related to board effectiveness
  
• A Staff Perception Report (SPR) summarizing the perspective of foundation staff on a range of questions related to job satisfaction and foundation effectiveness
  
• An integrated summary that focuses on next steps for implementation developed in consultation with foundation leadership

By drawing on a range of comparative data sources and perspectives, the MAP provides an overview of foundation strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

For more information, please contact Kevin Bolduc, vice president - assessment tools, at 617-492-0800 ext. 202.