Stakeholder Assessment Report
The Stakeholder Assessment Report (STAR) gathers perceptions of funder performance from stakeholders a funder may seek to influence as part of its strategy. The report analyzes information from individuals who are not receiving funding but have an important perspective on a funder’s areas of work or are otherwise critical to its strategy. Stakeholder populations typically include:
- Academics or other subject experts
- Government officials or community leaders
- Members of the media
- Other philanthropic funders
- Nonprofit organizations (including past grantees, but excluding currently funded organizations)
- Industry and business experts
- Nonprofit intermediary and support organizations
The STAR helps foundation leaders evaluate and understand how their organization is perceived, in terms of its programmatic work and public persona. The STAR covers stakeholders’ perceptions of funder performance in areas such as:
- Impact on targeted fields or communities
- Leadership and influence in advancing knowledge or public policy
- Credibility, utility, and effectiveness of communications and public resources
The STAR Process
The STAR process takes about six weeks, starting when surveys are sent to all chosen stakeholders and concluding when CEP finalizes the report and presents findings. The deadline for expressing interest in the next round of STARs is December 21, 2010.STAR Data in Action
- “It is one thing to discuss funding priorities and ways for an organization to better serve its constituency internally, but it is quite another to receive feedback directly from those with the greatest stake in the organization’s future. The stakeholder perception report has been an invaluable guide as the Kansas Health Foundation seeks ways to better serve the people of Kansas and further its mission to improve the health of all Kansans.”
-Christopher Power, vice president for Communication, Kansas Health Foundation
The Kansas Health Foundation has chosen to make its STAR public. View it on its Web site. - “Working with the CEP team on the Stakeholder Assessment Report was an exceptionally positive
experience. What we learned provided precisely what we needed to shape a proactive communications strategy for the Foundation going forward. CEP has expertise not only in data collection, synthesis, and analysis, but also in conveying critical information using easily accessible stories and examples. We look forward to engaging them again on future projects."
-Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, The Rhode Island Foundation
Some Questions the STAR Can Help You Answer
Are your goals understood and supported by your key stakeholders?
When the public initiates contact with your foundation, are you responsive and accessible?
What does the public view to be your defining strengths? What do they see as your weaknesses?
