Browse Capacity Building Resources
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Evaluating Social Innovation In this paper, the authors explore ways that common evaluation approaches and practices constrain innovation and offer lessons about an emerging evaluation approach—developmental evaluation—which supports the adaptation that is so crucial to innovation. For what kinds of grantmaking strategies should funders consider using developmental evaluation? What organizational conditions are necessary for it to work? How can grantmakers grapple with the challenging questions that developmental evaluation raises about innovation, accountability, rigor, and adaptation? Author: Hallie Preskill and Tanya Beer Type: Research & Reports Date: Aug 1, 2012 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Download (341.7 KB) -
Evaluating Social Justice Advocacy: A Values Based Approach Although social justice is a concept inherent in many advocacy efforts, it often remains unspoken or is
ignored during the evaluation process. In some ways, the use of a social justice lens when evaluating
advocacy should be self-evident. If advocacy efforts aim for social justice outcomes, evaluations should look
for evidence that such outcomes have been achieved. But understanding just what social justice means can
be a challenge, as can knowing how to look for it in the context of complex and often long-term advocacy efforts.Author: Barbara Klugman Type: Research & Reports Date: Aug 1, 2010 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Download (334.73 KB) -
Evaluating System Change: A Planning Guide This methods brief provides guidance on planning effective evaluations of system change interventions. It begins with a general overview of systems theory and then outlines a three-part process for designing system change evaluations. This three-part process aligns (1) the dynamics of the targeted system or situation, (2) the dynamics of the system change intervention, and (3) the intended purpose(s) and methods of the evaluation.
Author: Margaret B. Hargreaves Type: Research & Reports Date: Apr 1, 2010 Be the first to review this resource! Download (1.63 MB) -
Evaluating the Effectiveness of DFID's Influence with Multilaterals This report is based on investigations carried out over five weeks involving approximately 40 organizations in the international NGO community. The report covers four main topics
Author: Davies, Rick Type: Research & Reports Date: Aug 1, 2001 Be the first to review this resource! Download (436.5 KB) -
Evaluation A Beginners Guide This document aims to present a user-friendly approach to the process of evaluation. It is
particularly targeted at those involved in programs working towards the introduction of human
rights concepts and values in educational curricula and teaching practices, who are initiating an
evaluation for the first time. It contains practical suggestions on how to effectively organize the
evaluation of such programs in order to learn from the work implemented so far.Author: Amnesty International Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jun 30, 1999
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Evaluation as a Tool for Creating and Leading a Results-Based Learning Culture [Slides] Johanna Morariu and Will Fenn discussed effective evaluation initiatives, highlighting useful tools such as those available from Innovation Network’s Point K at the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy 2013 National Conference in Chicago, IL. Author: Johanna Morariu and Will Fenn Type: Presentation Slides Date: Apr 5, 2013 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Evaluation Capacity Building: Examples and Lessons from the Field Innovation Network developed these three introductory evaluation documents as part of Building Nonprofit Capacity to Evaluate, Learn, and Grow Impact, a workshop we presented in partnership with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations' Scaling What Works initiative. Author: Johanna Morariu, Innovation Network, Inc. Type: Research & Reports Date: Apr 1, 2012 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
EVALUATION CAPACITY BUILDING: Funder Initiatives to Strengthen Grantee Evaluation Capacity and Practice Evaluation Capacity Building (ECB) is the process of improving an organization’s ability to use evaluation to learn from its work and improve results. Organizational learning is incredibly important. Organizations that are adept at learning from mistakes and adapting to new challenges are more likely to be successful, and in the nonprofit sector, more likely to make significant progress toward mission-related outcomes. In general, ECB can be used to:
Author: Myia Welsh and Johanna Morariu Type: Research & Reports Date: Jun 15, 2011 Be the first to review this resource! Download (248.37 KB) -
Evaluation Concepts Mindmap The Evaluation Concepts Mindmap is a visual showing different considerations in evaluation, such as assessment types, evaluation cycle, and data collection, and the components of those considerations. This is a useful tool for evaluation planning, as well as for gaining a broad perspective of what is important in the field of evaluation—all on one page. Author: Johanna Morariu, Innovation Network Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Mar 28, 2013 Point K Pick
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Evaluation Contracts Checklist Dr. Daniel Stufflebeam, founder of Western Michigan University’s The Evaluation Center, created this checklist for coming to agreement on an evaluation contract. This resource is particularly helpful for funder and practioners preparing for the first time to work with an external evaluator. Author: Daniel Stufflebeam Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Jan 1, 1999 Be the first to review this resource! Download (26.51 KB) -
Evaluation Dashboards: Practical Solutions for Reporting Results In 2008 Innovation Network Senior Associates Veena Pankaj and Ehren Reed presented on dashboard usage for evaluation reporting at the annual Americal Evaluation Association. The handout and powerpoint slides cover four basic points:
- What is an evaluation dashboard?
- Why use a dashboard?
- When does an organization use a dashboard?
- How does an organization develop a dashboard?
Author: Ehren Reed and Veena Pankaj Type: Presentation Slides Date: Nov 7, 2008 Be the first to review this resource! Download (1.62 MB) -
Evaluation for Improvement: A Seven-Step Empowerment Evaluation Approach This manual is designed to help violence prevention organizations hire an empowerment evaluator who will assist them in building their evaluation capacity through a learn-by-doing process of evaluating their own strategies. It is for state and local leaders and staff members of organizations, coalitions, government agencies, and/or partnerships working to prevent violence. Some parts of the manual may also be useful to empowerment evaluators who work with these organizations. Author: Pamela J. Cox, Dana Keener, Tiffanee L. Woodard, & Abraham J. Wandersman Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 1, 2009 Be the first to review this resource! Download (2.86 MB) -
Evaluation for Strategic Learning: Readiness and Results This brief explores organizational preparedness and situational suitability for evaluation that supports strategic learning. It also explores how to understand if this type of evaluation is working. The brief is based on literature review, expert interviews, and the author’s own experiences. Short case examples at the end bring the ideas and concepts to life. Author: Center for Evaluation Innovation Type: Research & Reports Date: Mar 1, 2014 Be the first to review this resource! Download (165.16 KB) -
Evaluation Handbook This 116-page .pdf handbook, written for evaluation novices, provides a framework for thinking about evaluation as a relevant and useful program tool. Author: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 1, 1998 Be the first to review this resource! Download (354.1 KB) -
Evaluation Logic Model A logic model overview with links to workbooks, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources. Author: University of Wisconsin - Extension Type: Websites & Online Tools Date: Jan 18, 2008
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Evaluation Needs Assessment The Evaluation Needs Assessment was created for use with a grantee cohort of twelve organizations, which received grant support and capacity building services for a period of three years.Directions: Share the tool in advance of an in-person meeting to allow for preparation. Meet to discuss an organization’s existing evaluation practice and goals for improvement. Seek mutual agreement of the evaluation capacity provider and grantee regarding how to apply evaluation technical assistance.Author: Johanna Morariu Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Apr 25, 2011 Be the first to review this resource! Download (215.84 KB) -
Evaluation of Nine Non-Governmental Human Rights Organisations This evaluation report examines nine organizations working in the international human rights field with support from the Dutch government. It is one sub-study of a larger evaluation of Dutch human rights policy. The sub-study used a custom evaluation framework, consisting of a general section and sections on international advocacy work, publications and information, and specific program activities. The report concludes that all nine organizations have been largely successful, but that there is still room for improvement, "especially in the field of monitoring and evaluation practice Author: Landman, Todd and Abraham, Meghna Type: Research & Reports Date: Feb 1, 2004 Be the first to review this resource! Download (666.96 KB) -
Evaluation Plan Workbook (.pdf) Innovation Network's own workbook on evaluation planning. Can be used alone or in conjunction with the Evaluation Plan Builder at the Point K Learning Center. Author: Innovation Network, Inc. Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: May 14, 2005 Point K Pick
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Evaluation Plan Workbook (in MS Word) Innovation Network's own workbook: an introduction to the processes and concepts of evaluation planning. Author: Innovation Network, Inc. Type: Templates & Samples Date: Dec 31, 2005 Point K Pick
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Evaluation Principles and Practices: An Internal Working Paper The purpose of this document is to advance the Foundation’s existing work so that our evaluation practices become more consistent across the organization. We hope to create more common understanding of our philosophy, purpose, and expectations regarding evaluation as well as clarify staff roles and available support. With more consistency and shared understanding, we expect less wheel re-creation across program areas, greater learning from each other’s efforts, and faster progress in designing meaningful evaluations and applying the results.
Author: Fay Twersky & Karen Lindblom Type: Research & Reports Date: Jan 22, 2013 Be the first to review this resource! Download (1.42 MB) -
Evaluation Research The evaluation research section of Cornell University’s "Research Methods Knowledge Base", a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses many topics in social research method Author: Trochim, William M.K. Type: Websites & Online Tools Date: Oct 20, 2006 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Evaluation Resource Guide This listing and description of resources has been developed to help Department staff evaluate and monitor the performance of Department programs. It also is intended to be useful for county staff and other service providers. Resources in the Guide range from evaluation manuals providing basic information to books with detailed information on specific topics such as logic models, data analysis or sampling. Also included are resources on identifying effective programs/best practices, evaluation standards, and contracting for evaluation.
Author: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: May 1, 2010 Be the first to review this resource! Download (223.14 KB) -
Evaluation to Support Strategic Learning: Principles and Practices Evaluation that supports strategic learning is an area that the Center for Evaluation Innovation is helping to develop and grow. Working with organizations and groups to integrate evaluative thinking into their strategic decision making and bring timely data to the table for reflection and use has tremendous potential as an approach to evaluation, particularly for complex and dynamic social change strategies.
Author: Julia Coffman & Tanya Beer Type: Research & Reports Date: Jun 1, 2011 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Download (106.64 KB) -
Evaluation: Finding a Common Ground [Slides] While common frameworks and approaches for evaluation have been developed across multiple fields, regional associations for grantmakers have, for the most part, been left out of this dialogue.The purpose of this session is to highlight the common threads that distinguish regional associations from other organizational genres in the social sector. Regional associations promote effectiveness in philanthropy by providing grantmakers with opportunities to engage with others, share ideas, and generate best practices that support both the individual and collective impact of philanthropy.
Author: Veena Pankaj and Ann K. Emery Type: Presentation Slides Date: Jul 30, 2013 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Failing to learn and learning to fail (intelligently): How great organizations put failure to work to improve and innovate The paper provides insight into what makes learning from failure so difficult to put into practice. The authors address the question of why organizations fail to learn from failure. They identify pernicious barriers embedded in both technical and social systems that make collective learning processes unusual in organizations, and present recommendations for what managers can do to overcome these barriers.
Author: Mark D. Cannon and Amy C. Edmondson Type: Research & Reports Date: Feb 5, 2004 Be the first to review this resource! Download (388.5 KB)