How DonorsShield Works
A disciplined, transparent process from assessment to oversight to reporting
Our Three-Phase Approach
Assess
We analyze budgets, contracts, and risks before you commit—ensuring you have a complete, unbiased understanding of project feasibility and cost discipline.
Oversee
We monitor spending, change orders, and progress throughout delivery—providing real-time accountability and escalating issues before they become crises.
Report
We provide clear, ongoing Donor Confidence Reports for decision-makers—ensuring transparency and enabling informed governance at every stage.
Detailed Engagement Timeline
Initial Consultation
Week 1
We meet with donors, endowment committees, or board members to understand project scope, funding sources, governance structure, and oversight goals. This conversation is confidential and obligation-free.
Document Intake & Review
Weeks 2-3
We collect and analyze project budgets, feasibility studies, architect and GC contracts, fundraising materials, and governance documents. Our team conducts forensic-level review and benchmarking against comparable projects.
Findings & Recommendations Meeting
Week 4
We present a comprehensive report with findings, risk assessment, and recommendations. This includes budget optimization opportunities, contract modification suggestions, and a clear go/no-go recommendation.
Ongoing Project Oversight Cadence
Monthly or Quarterly (During Construction)
For projects under active construction, we establish a regular monitoring cadence: invoice review, change order analysis, site visits, and progress validation. We escalate issues immediately and provide formal Donor Confidence Reports on an agreed schedule.
Final Report & Debrief
Project Completion
At project completion (or at major milestones), we conduct a final forensic review, document lessons learned, and provide a comprehensive debrief to donors and institutional leadership.
Working With Other Stakeholders
DonorsShield collaborates professionally with all project stakeholders—we are not adversarial by default, but we are disciplined and evidence-based.
Nonprofit Leadership
We coordinate with executive leadership and facilities teams to ensure alignment on project goals, reporting cadence, and governance frameworks. Our oversight strengthens institutional credibility with donors.
Project Management / Owner's Rep
When an owner's rep is engaged, we work alongside them with a complementary focus: they manage day-to-day project execution, while we provide independent fiduciary oversight on behalf of donors.
Architect & Engineers
We review design decisions and contract terms to ensure cost discipline and alignment with donor expectations, while respecting the architect's creative and technical expertise.
General Contractor
We validate invoices, change orders, and progress claims to ensure transparency and accuracy. A well-managed GC will appreciate our rigor; it demonstrates professionalism and protects all parties.
Our Philosophy: Rigorous but Respectful
DonorsShield applies institutional-grade oversight without creating adversarial relationships. We believe that transparency, accountability, and disciplined governance benefit everyone—including project delivery teams who are performing well and have nothing to hide.