Where can I learn about nonprofit program evaluation?
Program evaluation is the process of collecting information about a program in order to make decisions about it. Including an evaluation plan in your program shows that you take your objectives seriously and want to know how well you have achieved them. More and more foundations expect to see an evaluation component in the programs they fund.
IssueLab Results is a place for foundations and nonprofits to share funded evaluations and to access the lessons of their peers and colleagues. It includes three key features to help change makers build on each other's knowledge:
- Share Results: A place to learn about the initiative, find out what we're up to, and upload your most recent evaluation.
- Find Results: A growing, open access collection of evaluations AND a tool for visualizing not just what has been learned but who is funding and implementing evaluations on the issues that matter to you.
- Measure Results: A curated collection of reports and methodological guides focused on building the evaluative capacity of social sector organizations.
According to Dr. Lee Mizell, a research and management consultant to public, private, and nonprofit organizations, an evaluation plan should, at minimum: clearly identify the target population
- specify program objectives in measurable terms
- identify key indicators of success
- outline data collection and analysis activities
- develop a timeline to monitor the success of the program on an ongoing basis.
However, nonprofits frequently design and implement evaluation activities after a program is up and running, making it difficult, if not impossible, for evaluators to gather the information they need to accurately measure the success of the program.
Although at least 35 different types of evaluation exist, you should first focus on what you need to know to make the decisions you need to make, and how to accurately collect and understand that information. The method(s) you choose will depend on the project and its objectives. If you plan to apply for grants, you probably will need to describe how information will be collected, analyzed, and reported.
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
- Where can I find technical assistance or a consultant for my nonprofit?
- Where can I learn more about hiring a consultant?
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Staff-recommended websites
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
A Practical Guide for Engaging Stakeholders in Developing Evaluation Questions
Outlines the value of stakeholder engagement in evaluation processes and provides step-by-step guidance on identifying stakeholders; determining their roles, priorities, and motivations; and selecting an engagement strategy. This guide provides a five-step process for involving stakeholders in developing evaluation questions and includes planning worksheets.
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Americans for the Arts
Arts + Social Impact Explorer
This tool is a good resource for arts organizations looking for SMART objectives. (SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.) Explore the intersection of the Arts with 30 sectors to gather resources to educate decision-makers about the social impact of the arts and encourage more arts-supportive policy action at the local level.
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Free Management Library
Basic Guide to Program Evaluation
Provides guidance toward planning and implementing an evaluation process for for-profit or nonprofit programs.
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FSG
Building a Strategic Learning and Evaluation System for Your Organization
This guide provides a framework and set of practices that can help organizations be more systematic, coordinated, and intentional about what to evaluate, when, why, with whom, and with what resources.
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Staff pick
National Council of Nonprofits
Evaluation and Measurement of Outcomes
A compilation of resources and tools for evaluation and outcomes measurement to help your nonprofit evaluate its work, measure outcomes and success, and communicate impact.
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CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Health Outcomes Measure Definitions
Resource for health organizations looking for SMART objectives. (SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.) The CDC details various measures that can describe the health status of a community.
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Candid Learning for Funders
Making Measures Work for You: Outcomes and Evaluation
Candid Learning for Funders provides briefing notes that explain the basics of different evaluations techniques and answer some common questions about their uses. Each brief contains a mini-case, based on one grantmaker’s experiences.
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Candid, GFCF & PSJP
Measuring What Matters
Identifies more meaningful approaches to organizational learning and accountability in civil society. Provides guiding principles for any system of measurement and recommended action steps. Published by Candid, GFCF (Global Fund for Community Foundations), and PSJP (Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace).
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Johns Hopkins Listening Post Project [PDF]
Nonprofits,Innovation,and Performance Measurement: Separating Fact From Fiction
Based on a survey of more than four hundred nonprofits, 85 percent of respondents reported that they measure program effectiveness, all of whom use output measures, like the number of persons served. Nearly 70 percent also reported using outcome measures, which focus on ultimate effects. Published 2010.
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National Minority AIDS Council [PDF]
Program Development
The purpose of this manual is to provide a step-by-step outline of the planning process that communities, groups and organizations should follow to develop action plans and successful programs.
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GlobalGiving
Social Impact Terminology Explained
Provides explanations of common monitoring and evaluation terms used to measure an organization's social impact.
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Statistics Without Borders
According to the group: "SWB provides pro bono statistical and data science services. We work to improve human welfare by providing empirical knowledge using proper applications of statistical principles and best practices so that our clients can make more informed decisions. We focus on areas where access to such resources is limited."
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FSG
Strategic Learning & Evaluation
Resources target primarily grantmakers, but may be applicable to nonprofits seeking to develop evaluation methods. Scroll down for a list of actual grantmaker evaluation projects and related resources.
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Foundation Center [PDF]
The Evaluation Conversation: A Path to Impact for Foundation Boards and Executives
Challenges foundation leaders to rethink the role of evaluation and turn it into a vital institutional tool to achieve philanthropic purpose and improve strategy. Published Oct. 2006.
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Staff pick
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE)
The Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation
This online manual explains what program evaluation is, why it's important, how to conduct an evaluation and understand the results, how to report evaluation findings, and how to use it to improve programs.
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Tech Impact / Idealware
Understanding Software for Program Evaluation
There’s no software silver bullet that will take care of all your program evaluation needs, but the right tools and technology can help you learn more about the efficacy of your programs and help you act on what you learn.