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Session Title: Improving Evaluation in the Real World of Nonprofits and Foundations
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Panel Session 604 to be held in BONHAM B on Friday, Nov 12, 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM
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Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Pamela Imm, University of South Carolina, pamimm@windstream.net
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| Discussant(s):
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| Abraham Wandersman, University of South Carolina, wandersman@sc.edu
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| Abstract:
The session will focus on how the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM) integrates the work of evaluation and advocacy into their grantmaking. The panel members will present the structure of the Foundations’s grantmaking, how evaluators are recruited to work with grantees, steps taken to ensure evaluation strategies are incorporated into the work of the grantees, and the benefits that evaluators perceive to working with the Foundation. The panel will describe the accountability model used by the Foundation as well as how evaluators are encouraged to facilitate the work with the grantees. The evaluators’ perspective will also be presented to include the advantages of being involved in a small community of learners through monthly conference calls, professional development workshops, and informal and formal networking. By utilizing high quality evaluators, the Foundation promotes its grantmaking principles of evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, and systems change through policy and advocacy.
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Intregrating Evaluation Into the Grantmaking Agenda
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| Pamela Imm, University of South Carolina, pamimm@windstream.net
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From its inception, THFCM has worked to integrate formal evaluation practice into its grantmaking agenda. THFCM works with the grantees to help select the best evaluators for individual projects by using a variety of strategies. First, they identify and recruit high quality evaluators through informal referrals, AEA contacts, and other settings (e.g., universities) who are likely to be interested in a long-term evaluation commitment (3-5 years) with a project. THFCM finalizes its pool of evaluators and invites them to meet in a large setting with the grantees to share information about their approach, style, and areas of expertise. This process, similar to a speed dating session, results in the grantees forwarding their selection of acceptable evaluators to THFCM for final matching. The presenter will discuss the benefits and challenges of working closely with their evaluators from the perspective of the grantees.
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Why and How Should Foundations Engage Skilled, Experienced Program Evaluators in Their Grantmaking?
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| Jan Yost, Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, jyost@hfcm.org
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| Elaine Cinelli, Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, ecinelli@hfcm.org
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The presenter will provide the rationale for engaging evaluators to serve in a role as partners with the funder and grantee in order to increase the probability of project outcomes and sustainability. Lessons learned from the ten-year experience of a moderate-sized funder will offer guidance to foundations on: embedding evaluation as continuous quality improvement throughout the grantmaking process; recruiting evaluators, and facilitating their match and work as partners with invited applicants and grantees. The funder will also discuss its roles including approaches for interacting as a true partner with the evaluator and grantee throughout a three-to-five year grant project cycle to plan for and evaluate outcomes including advocacy efforts to affect public policy and sustain the project.
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How Can Foundations Attract and Retain Skilled, Experienced Program Evaluators for Local Projects?
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| Emily Rothman, Boston University, erothman@bu.edu
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In this session, the presenter will describe ten concrete things that Foundations can do to recruit and retain program evaluators with high standards for rigor. These include being prepared for and accommodating human subjects reviews, university billing systems, and working out agreements about the publication of data. The presenter will describe challenges related to engaging in community evaluation projects from the perspective of an academic researcher, and share lessons learned and solutions found during four years of collaboration with The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts and two of their Synergy Initiative grantees.
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