Nonprofit Management Programs
Rationale
The Meadows Foundation considers evaluation to be an important part of our grant making process. We regularly summarize evaluation results provided by grantees on their own projects. This helps us describe the accomplishments of the organizations we have funded.
Evaluation of Individual Grants
At its best, evaluation should provide useful information for program development and improvement. Approaches to evaluation vary depending upon the nature and scope of the project. Successful evaluation begins with a clear description of the program and its activities, and sets specific, measurable goals to be accomplished during a particular time period. We recognize that grantee organizations themselves are best qualified to assess the results of their own work. However, to assist applicants in developing an evaluation plan for their projects, planning tools, sample goals and measures are included in this document.
Organizations receiving funds from The Meadows Foundation are asked to provide interim and final reports to the Foundation. These reports should document the extent to which the project goals have been met. The Foundation will review reports to assess progress in achieving goals within the funding period.
Evaluation Studies on Foundation Areas of Interest
In addition to evaluations carried out by individual grantees, the Foundation may identify specific areas of interest requiring more extensive evaluation research to answer broader questions. Grantees may be asked to participate in these evaluation studies.
Building Evaluation Capacity At The Local Level
As we build our own capacity to conduct and use evaluation information to improve our grant making, we hope to encourage grantees to conduct meaningful evaluation of their programs to improve program development, implementation and outcomes. In addition to the following evaluation tools, the Foundation is available to provide limited technical support to grantees in developing goals and measures.
Applicant Feedback
The Meadows Foundation is interested in how others view their experience in working with us. While we have always asked for feedback on our services from grantees, beginning in 2001, we will begin a systematic process for gathering feedback from all applicants. We will use an independent researcher to ensure strict confidentiality in this ongoing evaluation.
Issues to consider when designing an evaluation:
- Intended Outcome: Who or what is expected to change because of this project?
- Activities to Achieve Outcome: What activities or set of activities are planned to achieve this outcome?
- Information Needed (Measures): What baseline information do we have? What new information will be collected and reported to demonstrate progress toward and achievement of these outcomes and activities?
- Target Goals and Dates: What is the numerical target goal and date for each measure?
- Data Collection Methods: What methods will be used to gather the information and who will be responsible for gathering it?
- Resources Needed: What resources (human and financial) are needed to conduct the evaluation and what is available?
- Results: How will evaluation results be used? Who will receive them?
Here are some sample goal statements to assist you in setting your own goals. When available please include baseline data (i.e., the current or starting level) and a date for the goal to be accomplished when writing your goals.
Goals Without Baseline Data
|
To serve |
|
1,800
goal |
|
people per year
measure |
|
by |
|
Dec. 31, 2001.
date |
|
To raise |
|
$150,000.
goal |
|
in |
|
additional funding
measure |
|
by |
|
Dec. 31, 2001.
date |
|
To recruit and train |
|
15 volunteers
goal & measure |
|
by |
|
Dec. 31, 2001.
date |
Note: For new programs, it may be helpful to use data from comparable programs to help you set goals.
Goals With Baseline Data (Current data)
|
|
To |
increase
direction +/- |
the |
number of people served per year
measure |
from |
1,500
baseline |
to |
1,875
goal |
| |
by |
Dec 31, 2001.
date |
|
(25% increase) |
|
|
|
To |
increase
direction +/- |
|
hospital bed capacity
measure |
from |
150
baseline |
to |
200
goal |
| |
by |
Dec 31, 2001.
date |
|
(33% increase) |
|
|
|
To |
increase
direction +/- |
the |
number of courses offered
measure |
per year from |
4
baseline |
to |
10
goal |
| |
by |
Dec 31, 2001.
date |
|
(150% increase) |
|
Note: To calculate percent increase (or decrease) over a specific time period, divide the goal (or actual number reached) by the baseline, subtract one and multiply by 100.
These sample measures are provided to assist you in finding appropriate ways to measure progress toward your program goals. You are not required to use these in any way. You may find other measures that are more appropriate to your program. This list is not exhaustive, and includes only a sample of appropriate measures.
Arts/Cultural Programs
- Number of productions or exhibits produced
- Number of attendees, percent from target population(s)
- Percent of income from ticket sales, subscribers, advertising, donors
- Number of awards received
- Audience/patron satisfaction - number/percent expressing satisfaction with program/service
Building/Capital Campaigns
- Facility construction/renovation – start/completion date, completed on time, completed within budget/percent of budget spent
- Number of additional people served – start/completion date, completed on time/within budget
- Number of additional staff members hired, trained
- Number of additional volunteers recruited, trained
- Number of additional programs developed/implemented because of the new, renovated or expanded building.
Civic and Public Programs
Training/Economic Development
- Number of loans made
- Number of jobs created
- Number of people trained
Educational Programs
Capacity/Resources
- Number of students per year (duplicated or unduplicated), number of teachers
- Average daily census/attendance
- Average class size, number of students per teacher
- Per pupil expenditure
Student Readiness/Performance/Participation
- Program contents, components are research-based
- Passing rate by grade (K-2) on Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI)
- Passing Rate by grade, by subject, and by all grades tested on Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS)
- Differences in Pre and Post Test Scores
- Passing rate on end-of-course examination
- Attendance rate for the full year
Environmental Programs
- Number of species classified as threatened or endangered
- Acres of habitat restored
- Acres of land/watershed protected
- Communities/people provided with safe drinking water
- Amount of eco-tourism dollars generated
Health/Mental Health Programs
Healthcare
- Number of patients treated/served (duplicated or unduplicated)
- Average number of visits per year (outpatient, inpatient)
- Total number of visits
- Average daily occupancy
- Number of people screened or calls received
- Average waiting time to receipt of care/average response time
- Decrease in incidence/prevalence/mortality of selected conditions
- Patient satisfaction - number/percent expressing satisfaction with service
Mental Health
- Number/Percent of patients not readmitted to a facility within specified time
- Number/Percent of patients reporting employment after release
Human Services Programs
- Number of people served (duplicated or unduplicated), percent in target populations
- Number/Percent of people served achieving/maintaining specified criteria within specified time after program completion
- Client satisfaction - number/percent expressing satisfaction with program/service
Nonprofit Management Programs
- Number of dollars raised
- Number of volunteers/board members/staff trained
