A Road to Results

Results-Based Accountability (PDF)

Investing Resources to Achieve Results (PDF)

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Education Program

2006

http://www.aecf.org/upload/PublicationFiles/Road.to.Results.pdf

http://www.aecf.org/upload/publicationfiles/ed3622h1307.pdf

A Model Approach to Program Evaluation

Formative Evaluation Research Associates

A five step approach to program evaluation.

http://www.feraonline.com/feraappr.html

Why Measure?

Stanford Social Innovation Review

Katie Cunningham and Marc Ricks

Summer 2004

"Nonprofits use metrics to show that they are efficient. But what if donors don't care?"

http://www.ssireview.org/pdf/2004SU_feature_cunningham.pdf

The Role of Evaluation in the 21st Century Foundation (PDF-Short Version)

International Network on Strategic Philanthropy

2005

http://www.wingsweb.org/download/06_The_Role_of_Evaluation_Short_Version.pdf

How Corporate Community Involvement Programs Can Use Evaluation as a Tool to Maximize Business and Social Impact

TCC Group-Perspectives

The Fall 2004 edition focusing on evalutation. Log-in required.

http://www.tccgrp.com/forms/login.php?pub=per_news_fall04.pdf&ref=http://www.tccgrp.com/pubs/newsletters.php

The Dark Side of Outcome Evaluation

Grantmakers in the Arts

Doug Easterling

Originally published in the winter of 2001 for the Grantmaker's Evaluation Network, this article discusses the importance of maintaining a clear sense of the practical limitations that arise when outcome evaluation is applied to the nonprofit sector.

http://www.giarts.org/library_additional/library_additional_show.htm?doc_id=494634

Foundations and Evaluation- Contexts and Practices for Effective Philanthropy

Jossey-Bass

There are two parts to this book: understanding foundations as a context for evaluation and building capacity for evaluation practice, each with extensive chapters with articles from an array of different authors. It is available for purchase online.

http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787975966.html

Kate Cassidy

GrantCraft
Click here to explore Participatory Action Research, a method of bringing applied research and evaluation skills to those closest to the issues involved.
http://www.grantcraft.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=912

Joyce White

Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

How to Evaluate Foundation Programs (PDF)
EnSearch, Inc., The Saint Paul Foundation
This handbook covers the basic technical aspects of evaluating foundation programs.
www.bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1630

Measuring Programmatic Success: Tips for Nonprofit Boards
Innovation Network, Inc.
A list of questions for board members to use to begin to think about program evaluation and ensure that their contribution is productive.
www.cof.org/files/Documents/Governing_Boards/Board%20Tools/boardtips.pdf

Indicators of Effectiveness: Understanding and Improving Foundation Performance (PDF)
Center for Effective Philanthropy
This report describes current practices in foundation performance assessment and provides a framework for overall performance assessment.
www.effectivephilanthropy.org/images/pdfs/indicatorsofeffectiveness.pdf

Toward a Common Language: Listening to Foundation CEOs and Other Experts Talk About Performance Measurement in Philanthropy (PDF)
Center for Effective Philanthropy
This report describes the growing interest in performance metrics among foundation leaders and a common language for thinking about overall performance.
www.effectivephilanthropy.org/images/pdfs/towardacommonlanguage.pdf

The Nonprofit Board's Role in Planning and Evaluation
BoardSource
This book describes how a board should be involved in strategic planning and how that plan should link to outcomes measurement. Available for purchase.
www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp

Evaluating for Success (PDF)
The Philanthropy Roundtable
This publication shares the practical advice of four experts on how donors can evaluate the outcomes of the programs they fund.
www.philanthropyroundtable.org/guidebooks/Evaluating%20for%20Success.pdf

Grant Evaluation: Knowing How and When to Monitor, Assess and Evaluate Grants
Council on Foundations
Some basic guidance and tips to help foundations determine when and how to monitor, assess or evaluate their grants.
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentid=829

Grant Evaluation: Getting Started
Council on Foundations
A review of some basic evaluation activities and considerations for grantmakers.
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?CONTENTID=893

The Evaluation Wars
Association of Small Foundations
This essay offers some tips for a foundation to “eyeball effectiveness” during a site visit.
www.smallfoundations.org/why_give_/evaluation_wars

Assessing Our Work (PDF)
Council on Foundations
This “Family Matters” newsletter reprint offers some practical tips and advice on evaluating foundation performance and practice.
www.cof.org/files/Documents/Newsletters/FamilyMatters/FMsummer01.pdf

Sample Post-Grant Evaluation Checklist (PDF)
Council on Foundations
www.bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1625

Sample Post-Grant Evaluation Report Format (PDF)
Council on Foundations
bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1626

Sample Post-Grant Self-Evaluation Form (PDF)
Council on Foundations
bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1627

Megan Wentworth

For Additional Resources, please see the Evaluation section of the Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington website: