The OAS assessment process extends the NeighborWorks America mission to build and sustain healthy, productive and effective community development organizations by helping organizations with similar missions to identify opportunities for improvement. We offer comprehensive training for community developers (including place-based training, virtual classrooms, Achieving Excellence for very senior practitioners), field staff on the ground in strategic offices across the country, access to capital, and a host of best practices and other programs in multiple disciplines.  

In some cases, OAS clients may access exclusive training, technical assistance, or other benefits to mitigate issues that surface through the assessments process. 

Depending on your needs, we offer comprehensive or targeted assessments:

PROMPT® Comprehensive On-Site Assessment Sample PROMPT Report*

TARGETED ASSESSMENT
In-Depth, Targeted Off-Site Review
Sample Targeted Assessment Report* (coming soon)

In addition to comprehensive PROMPT® assessments, OAS offers targeted, off-site assessments. These assessments may focus on a particular line of business or on selected PROMPT® categories. One recent OAS contract involved targeted assessments of 15 CDFIs. Community development lending experts looked at each CDFI from the perspective of their lending and loan portfolio management line of business. They reviewed documents provided by the CDFIs and produced reports that address production/program services, resources management and management/governance as they relate to the CDFI’s lending. Each report explains capacities, strengths, and any weaknesses, concluding with a recommended action plan.

These assessments generally take less time to accomplish than full PROMPT assessments but also result in a report explaining capacities, strengths and any weaknesses with recommendations. As with the PROMPT® assessment, the report is offered in draft to the organization before it is finalized.

Assessment fees range depending on the nature of the assessment and if they are singular or part of a series. Contact OAS for specific information.