| Session Title: Valuing by Whose Values: How a Self-Determination Theory-Based Evaluation Incorporates Program Participant Context to Help Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Balance Institutional Values With the Values of the People it Serves |
| Demonstration Session 340 to be held in Panzacola Section H4 on Thursday, Nov 12, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Deborah Wasserman, The Ohio State University, wasserman.12@osu.edu |
| Sue Hagedorn, Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, sue.hagedorn@gmail.com |
| Tifani Kendrick, Center of Science and Industry, tkendrick@mail.cosi.org |
| Gerlinde Higgenbotham, Center of Science and Industry, ghigginbotham@mail.cosi.org |
| Abstract: Often foundations fund grantees to institute programs that further the foundation's objectives and targeted outcomes. Then they require change-model evaluations that determine success based on the achievement of those outcomes. While beneficial for accountability purposes, this practice can risk creating a self-serving, closed system wherein, tethered by the demands of the funder, grantees perpetuate targeted outcomes whether or not they are in the best interests of the people they serve. In this presentation, representatives from Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation's Cap Scholars program introduce Self-Determination Theory-Based Logic Models and how use of this kind of model measures the Foundation's targeted outcomes in the context of participants' values and personal environment. The results have created insight and change not only at the program level but also at the heart of the Foundation. |