Sustainability and Social Justice

Date of Award

5-2016

Degree Type

Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Development and Social Change (IDSC)

Department

International Development, Community and Environment

Chief Instructor

Ellen Foley, Ph.D

Second Reader

Christa Drew

Keywords

Organizational Assessment, Organizational Capacity, Haiti, small NGO, grassroots, start-up

Abstract

This paper assesses the organizational capacity of two small Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Port-Au-Prince Haiti. Each NGO has a staff of under 15 members. At the time of the assessment, they were both in early stages of their development, with one in its first year of operations, and the other in its fifth year. Both embody grassroots, community organizations because of their connections to the communities in which they work, their willingness to travel to those communities, and their predominantly Haitian staff. The fieldwork included interviews, focus groups, and three months of participant observation and work with these organizations. In each organization their financial planning, infrastructure, organizational culture, and concept of professionalism were important keys to their potential for growth. Both organizations have strong, unique organizational culture, and strong commitment from staff members who truly believe in the impact of the services that they offer. However, both organizations have weak financial planning and challenges managing internal affairs. This paper assesses their organizations, and gives recommendations regarding their individual growth and potential for partnership.

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