| Session Title: Striving for Alignment: One Funder's Lessons in Supporting Advocacy |
| Demonstration Session 360 to be held in Mineral Hall Section C on Thursday, Nov 6, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Advocacy and Policy Change TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Tanya Beer, The Colorado Trust, tanya@coloradotrust.org |
| Ehren Reed, Innovation Network Inc, ereed@innonet.org |
| Abstract: How does a nonprofit maintain strategic focus when asked to submit 10 different evaluation reports to 10 different funders and each report requires a different set of measures? What if just two of those funders agreed on a common set of outcomes or a standard reporting format? The concept of alignment is a critical element in the field of evaluation. Alignment not only eases the burden of evaluation reporting for grantees, but can help both nonprofits and funders move closer towards realizing a common vision for success. This demonstration will highlight the ongoing efforts of The Colorado Trust to incorporate principles of alignment in their new strategic grantmaking. The facilitator will discuss the benefits and challenges of aligning outcomes and reporting requirements across two foundations by providing various tools, examples, and emerging lessons from The Trust's own experiences. |