Resources for Evalutating Program Effectiveness:
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse has published criteria for evaluating program effectiveness:
http://www.cachildwelfareclearinghouse.org/scientific-rating/scale
Promising Practices Network has a rating system for program effectiveness:
http://www.promisingpractices.net/criteria.asp
Office of Juvenile Justice has information on rating program effectiveness:
http://www.dsgonline.com/mpg_non_flash/ratings.htm
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.
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
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
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
Megan Wentworth
For Additional Resources, please see the Evaluation section of the Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington website:
