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Session Title: Evaluation Reports: Reframing the Concept for the Real World
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Panel Session 355 to be held in Calhoun Room on Thursday, November 8, 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM
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Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Zoe Clayson,
Abundantia Consulting,
zoeclay@abundantia.net
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| Discussant(s):
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| Gale Berkowitz,
Packard Foundation,
gberkowitz@packard.org
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| Abstract:
Foundations use evaluation reporting for a variety of purposes, e.g. resource allocation, internal reflection, external communication, and responding to Board of Directors requests. This panel will explore from the foundation and evaluators perspectives the expectations for reporting and the approaches found most useful for decision makers.
Each of the panelists will explore this topic from their particular area of expertise. Patricia Patrizi will focus on how foundations have traditionally used reports or internal reflection, the status of the field now, and thoughts regarding future directions. John Nash will discuss the role of diagrammatic reporting in helping foundations move along the continuum from desired change to strategy. Zoe Clayson brings further depth to the conversation by presenting a web-based approach moving from strategy to management, non-profit grantee implementation, and communications. Finally, Gale Berkowitz will discuss the three presentations from the perspective of the needs of today's foundation decision makers.
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Reflection and Learning From Evaluation Reports: Perspectives Across Foundations
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| Patricia Patrizi,
Patrizi Associates,
patti@patriziassociates.com
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This presentation will draw upon the author's broad range of experience working with non-profits and philanthropies in the areas of evaluation, strategic planning and organizational learning. As chair of the Evaluation Roundtable. she is well situated to discuss how foundation decision makers have used evaluation reports in the past for organizational reflection; present several approaches that are currently in use; and pose questions related to the future of reporting within the foundation context.
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A Diagrammatic Approach to Fostering Common Talk on Impact
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| John Nash,
Open Eye Group,
john@openeyegroup.com
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Indicators of foundation effectiveness are many, from implementation metrics on expenditures and number of grantees, to output and outcome measures on numbers of people within target groups served or policies changed. Increasingly, the discussion on effectiveness is centering on the topic of impact. Understanding that foundations are only effective to the extent that the organizations they fund are successful, demonstrating impact at the program level can be challenging work. Foundations that position their programs to address root causes can better integrate nonprofit organizations as partners in the definition of program goals, targets and metrics. This increases the probability that their grant making will lead to sought-after results. John Nash will discuss how a diagrammatic form of report can serve as a key starting point in framing foundation programs for increased impact.
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Innovation Using the Web and Visuals to Strengthen Common Talk
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| Zoe Clayson,
Abundantia Consulting,
zoeclay@abundantia.net
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This presentation will focus on real time 'reporting' using the web to facilitate decision making, learning, and communications. Grants management, program planning, and communication tools are bundled together strengthening a common vision for implementing strategy. The use of visual approaches to assessment including photography, videography coupled with more standardized measurements will be presented. The incorporation of non-profit voices into the common talk will be emphasized.
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