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Case Studies

What a Sustainability Assessment Isn’t: Why We Built VERVE to Move Strategy Forward

Nonprofits face growing pressure to prove their sustainability—often without the tools to measure what truly matters. At coLAB, we’ve seen how traditional assessments fall short: surveys without context, reports with no follow-through, and a narrow focus on finances. That’s why we created VERVE. More than a tool, it’s a strategic companion—built to help mission-driven organizations turn insight into action.

22%

Just 22% of organizations have a plan in place to replace senior leaders (The Concord Leadership Group)

60%

60% of organizations don’t align their budgets with their strategic goals (Harvard Business Review).

17.3%

Just 17.3% of organizations have conducted a gap analysis of leadership competencies (The Concord Leadership Group).

We didn’t just want to measure sustainability. We wanted to help build it—in ways that actually reflect how nonprofits live and lead.

– coLAB Team

Insight That Drives Real Decisions

At coLAB, our goal is to give organizations more than a snapshot—we aim to offer a living, breathing view of sustainability. We design tools that reflect complexity, honor relationships, and equip leaders to act with purpose. Strategy should evolve, not expire.

One-Dimensional Tools, One-Time Use

Surveys alone can’t capture the full picture. Financial audits don’t reflect team dynamics. And too often, assessments end in static reports that gather dust. We’ve seen how easily insight fades without systems to carry it forward—how strategy stalls when it isn’t connected to action. Organizations need more than data points—they need perspective, relevance, and continuity.

VERVE Goes Beyond the Balance Sheet

That’s why we built VERVE to integrate multiple sources of insight—surveys, staffing trends, financial indicators, leadership dynamics, and more. It triangulates these inputs to reflect the real-life pace and complexity of purpose-driven work. Every insight connects to strategy, so organizations aren’t left asking, “Now what?” VERVE adapts to your size, sector, and goals—making sure what you learn today still serves you tomorrow.

From Assessment to Action

With VERVE, insight doesn’t end in a PDF. It becomes a shared tool for decision-making, alignment, and growth. Teams use it to track progress, identify risks early, and stay grounded in what matters most. It reflects how we work at coLAB—rooted in relationships, responsive to change, and always designed for the long haul. The result isn’t just understanding—it’s movement, capacity, and resilience.

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What a Sustainability Assessment Isn’t: Why We Built VERVE to Move Strategy Forward

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Nonprofits are asked to prove sustainability—but lack the right tools. That’s why coLAB built VERVE: a strategic companion that goes beyond surveys and reports to turn insight into action.

Why Sustainability Matters More Than Ever

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In mission-driven work, true sustainability means building systems that last. At coLAB, we’ve seen that when strategy is supported by leadership, data, and capacity from the start, impact endures.