| Session Title: Capacity Mapping Initiative: Evaluating Organizational Growth in the Former Soviet Union |
| Demonstration Session 340 to be held in Capitol Ballroom Section 1 on Thursday, Nov 6, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the International and Cross-cultural Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Robert O'Donovan Jr, Eurasia Foundation, rodonovan@eurasia.org |
| Maria Gutierrez, CamBia Associates, mariag@cambiaassociates.net |
| Abstract: Building the capacity of nonprofit organizations can be a challenge under ordinary circumstances. When working across geographic and cultural distances, however, tailoring diagnostic tools, assessing growth, and evaluating capacity-building initiatives can be especially demanding. In 2004, the Eurasia Foundation (EF) began creating indigenous foundations to continue EF's work in the countries of the former Soviet Union. To meet the challenge of assessing these foundations' organizational growth, EF launched the Capacity Mapping Initiative (CMI) in 2007. Based upon a maturity model methodology developed by a large, U.S.-based nonprofit, CMI is a diagnostic approach designed to assist EF staff in assessing the foundations' current capacity, collaborating with each foundation to create organizational growth plans, and consistently measuring their capacity gains and infrastructure improvements. Drawing on two rounds of CMI assessments, the consultant who led the CMI design process and EF's evaluation officer will share significant lessons learned from this international evaluative process. |