Browse planning Resources
-
The Community Toolbox The Community Tool Box is a global resource for free information on essential skills for building healthy communities. It offers practical guidance in creating change and improvement in a wide range of areas.
Part A. Models for Promoting Community Health and Development: Gateways to the Tools
Part B. Community Assessment, Agenda Setting, and Choice of Broad Strategies
Part C. Promoting Interest and Participation in Initiatives
Part D. Developing a Strategic Plan, Organizational Structure, and Training System
Author: Work Group for Community Health and Development Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 1, 2011
Web Link -
The Evaluation Checklist Project Th site provides Author: The Evaluation Center of Western Michigan University Type: Templates & Samples Date: Jun 30, 2010 Point K Pick
Web Link -
The Four Phases to Designing & Writing a Comprehensive Grant This conceptual model gives the four phases to consider when trying to develop a comprehensive grant proposal because you can't just "sit down and start writing" a grant. Researching Funding, Designing your Project, Technical Grant Writing, and Evaluation are the four key areas to consider in this model. The model is a basis for more in-depth work that is further explained in four separate PowerPoint presentations (with handouts). For more information contact info@bpcwi.com.
Author: Nicole Bowman Type: Templates & Samples Date: Feb 12, 2014 Be the first to review this resource! Download (121.35 KB) -
The Grantmaker’s Role in Theory of Change 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! Download (419.72 KB) -
The How and Why of Advocacy This publication offers many pieces of advice generally related to advocacy, as well as specifically in regard to how an organization can monitor and evaluate its advocacy work. The Monitoring and Evaluation section walks through key questions:
- Why monitor and evaluate your work?
- What kind of monitoring indicators are there?
- What to evaluate?
- Who defines success?
Author: BOND Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 18, 2008 Be the first to review this resource! Download (203.13 KB) -
The Metrics Café: A Guide to Bring Funders and Grantees to the Table The Metrics Café from MIT's D-Lab offers a user-friendly, light-hearted take on understanding how metrics can be selected by funders and grantees. The guide likens metrics selection to meal formats, offering case examples and tips on when and how to use the four approaches:
Author: Laura Budzyna Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Apr 1, 2017 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Download (395.22 KB) -
The Urban Institute Series on Outcome Management for Nonprofit Organizations The Urban Institute Series on Outcome Management for Nonprofit Organizations contains easy to read, practical guides for looking at outcomes for nonprofit programs. The series includes:
Author: Various Type: Research & Reports Date: Dec 4, 2009 Point K Pick
Web Link -
The ‘Most Significant Change’ Technique This 104-page guide discusses the "Most Significant Change" ("MSC") technique and its use in advocacy evaluation. The technique involves collecting stories from program participants, reviewing stories and choosing the "most significant," sharing those stories, and discussing their value and impact. The guide states that "When the technique is implemented successfully, whole teams of people begin to focus their attention on program impact." Author: Davies, Rick and Dart, Jess Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Apr 1, 2005 Be the first to review this resource! Download (1.2 MB) -
Theory of Change Assessment: A Cheat Sheet The Theory of Change Assessment: Cheat Sheet tool can be used to conduct an analysis of a theory of change. The tool walks users through elements common to theories of change, and offers considerations for conducting the assessment. Suggestions for use include:
Author: Ehren Reed Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Apr 1, 2011 Point K Pick Be the first to review this resource! Download (110.62 KB) -
THEORY OF CHANGE FOR FUNDERS: PLANNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE This report talks through three different types of theories of change, each relating to one type of funder impact:
Author: Angela Kail, Dawn Plimmer Type: Research & Reports Date: Dec 1, 2014
Download (516.13 KB) -
Theory of Change Glossary A theory of change is a document created to communication the strategies, activities, outcomes, and other elements on nonprofit and philanthropic initiatives. Various terms can be used to describe the components of a theory of change. This is one glossary that seeks to define many of the common elements contained within a theory of change.
Author: Community Resource Exchange and Hunter Consulting, LLC Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Dec 1, 2012 Be the first to review this resource! Download (187.53 KB) -
Theory of Change: A Practical Tool for Action, Results and Learning Every community needs a roadmap for change. A theory of change (TOC) outlines how to create that change. It is an essential part of a successful community transformation effort. This manual, created for the Casey Foundation's Making Connections initiative, defines theory of change using Casey's impact, influence and leverage platform, and shows community advocates how to create their own TOC by showing the relationships between outcomes, assumptions, strategies and results.
Author: Annie E. Casey Foundation and Organizational Research Services (ORS) Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jun 4, 2004 Be the first to review this resource! Download (369.64 KB) -
Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact (TRASI) TRASI is a browsable and searchable database of approaches to impact assessment, guidelines for creating and conducting an assessment, and ready-to-use tools for measuring social change.
It features more than 150 assessment tools and resources, community networking services, and informational videos and podcasts.
Author: The Foundation Center Type: Websites & Online Tools Date: Jan 1, 2010 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Transactions Transformations Translations: Metrics That Matter for Building, Scaling, and Funding Social Movements Metrics can help organizations articulate where they are going, what road they are taking, and what they expect to find along the way. They can help groups strike the right balance in the trade-offs above, allocating time and energy to be maximally effective. They can serve as a guide and tool for lifting up lessons for the field and for funders.
Author: Manuel Pastor, Jennifer Ito, Rachel Rosner Type: Research & Reports Date: Oct 1, 2011
Download (2.09 MB) -
USAID Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS TIPS
USAID's Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS provide practical advice and suggestions to USAID managers and partners on issues related to performance monitoring and evaluation. These publications are supplemental references to the Automated Directive Service (ADS) Chapter 203 (pdf, 264kb).
Author: USAID Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 1, 2012 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Using Evaluation to Reduce the Burden of Asthma: a Web-based introduction to CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation The National Asthma Control Program, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, has created a four-part Webinar series on program evaluation basics. Nationally recognized experts present a general introduction to program evaluation; note challenges in conducting useful evaluations as well as methods for overcoming those challenges; and introduce the six steps of the CDC Framework for Program Evaluation using examples that are relevant to state partners of the National Asthma Control Program.
Author: Maureen Wilce Type: Websites & Online Tools Date: Dec 15, 2010 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
Wading Through the Data Swamp A tutorial that uses a case study approach to address evaluation program design, baselines, validity, evaluation instruments, and more. Author: SAMHSA Type: Workbooks & Guides Date: Jan 18, 2008 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link -
What is Success? This publication, which draws on VeneKlasen and Miller’s book A New Weave of Power, People & Politics, argues that a successful advocacy effort needs to produce change in five dimensions: Government, Private sector, Civil society, Political space and culture, and the Individual. The publication also offers an Advocacy Action and Impact Chart that can be used as a checklist planning and evaluation. The framework is shaped by the experience of long-time social justice advocates around the world who found that advocacy success needs to produce multidimensional change. Author: VeneKlasen, Lisa, and Miller, Valerie Type: Tipsheets & Paper Tools Date: Jun 14, 2006 Be the first to review this resource! Download (24.54 KB) -
What Makes an Effective Coalition This paper explores the evidence base for what makes an effective coalition with the assumption that understanding what makes them effective and how to assess and improve them will increase their effectiveness as an advocacy tool and reduce potential frustrations associated with operating in coalition.
Author: Jared Raynor, TCC Group Type: Research & Reports Date: Mar 1, 2011
Download (1.37 MB) -
Why I Love Internal Evaluation [Slides] In an Ignite presentation the American Evaluation Association's 2012 Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, Ann K. Emery explains the many reasons why she loves internal evaluation. Ann covers the qualitative aspects of internal evaluation as well as the opportunities for partnership, innovation and volunteering that internal evaluation offers. Author: Ann K. Emery Type: Presentation Slides Date: Oct 27, 2013 Be the first to review this resource! Web Link