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Project Selection Process

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COMPASS Project Cycle

COMPASS builds teams to work on client projects. Our team selection committee chooses project leaders who have demonstrated a proven track record of leadership and management skills. Most projects follow a yearly program cycle.

• Applications are collected and projects are selected by late summer/early fall.
• Each project is led by a project leader.
• Project Leaders begin working with the nonprofit leaders to define the scope of the project in late fall.
• Teams are formed in November and December.
• An engagement letter defines the agreed upon scope prior to start-up.
• Teams begin working on the project in January and complete the work by June.
• Projects are scoped so that each team member can expect to contribute approximately 2 to 5 hours per week.
• A final report is made to client management and/or the board of directors.

Client Selection Criteria:

• Public Sector or IRS 501 (c)(3) status
• A mission that directly benefits the Greater Washington community, with no religious affiliation
• The ability to sustain staff involvement in a project through its completion
• A minimum of three paid staff with an executive director, a board of directors, and an annual operating budget of at least $750,000.

Three Service Lines

COMPASS offers volunteer consulting assistance in three main areas of business management: strategic alignment, board development, and funding strategy.