Pretty sure I said this:
Nonprofits can learn a lot about themselves by going through what their clients or donors experience, going on the Website, or dealing anonymously with an employee or volunteer.
During the 2011 Bridge Conference, Bridget L. Brandt of Sage Business Solutions emphasized the importance of knowing an organization from an outsider’s perspective. Part of that, she said, can be accomplished by conducting surveys, but she also cautioned that surveys must be done judiciously.
Brandt offered the following tips for conducting surveys:
• Don’t over-survey your donors or clients.
• Make a plan – how many people in your organization are taking part in the survey? Centralize the process.
• Write a short questionnaire.
• Use simple words.
• Relax your grammar.
• Assure a common understanding. Don’t use terms specific to your organization.
• Don’t write leading questions. You want honesty.
• Don’t make the list of choices too long.
• Avoid difficult concepts.
• Avoid difficult recall questions.
• Put your questions in logical order.
• Pre-test your survey.
• Provide a cover memo or introduction. Tell them why you are surveying.
• Use some open-ended questions. You want to present them with an opportunity to tell you more, both good and bad.
Take-away: Surveys can be a powerful tool, but it is important to get it right!
Thanks for posting http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/article/detail/14-tips-for-surveying-your-donors-3987.
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