A community foundation communicates openly and welcomes public scrutiny.
Communications - Standard VII. Part A.

Current Practice Assessment Tool

1. Does the public view the community foundation as a trusted community institution?
2. Does the public have ready access to the annual report, financial statements, and Form 990?
3. Are the media outlets, regulators, and legislators aware of the community foundation and see it as a trusted resource and source of information about community philanthropy?
4. Do staff and volunteers know how public inquiries for information are to be handled and by whom?

   Assessment Questions Relevant to Most Effective Practices:

   1. What are the specific outcomes you intend to achieve by following this practice?
   2. If fully realized, would these outcomes meet or exceed the Standard?
   3. Are you able to actually measure the level of achievement of these outcomes?
   4. Based upon your measurement, to what degree does the practice actually produce the intended outcomes and, therefore meet or exceed the Standard? Why?
   5. The realization of which outcomes is less than satisfactory?
   6. Which outcomes are threatened by changing circumstances such as growth, service area economy, and community needs?
   7. What are the costs associated with following the practice and are they justified by the value of the outcome?
   8. What secondary outcomes, not directly related to the Standard, are produced that contribute to advancing the goals of the foundation?