|
|
|
Evaluation is not a process that should be undertaken the
week before the grant submission deadline. Evaluation should:
- Be part of routine record keeping/audience tracking
- Be meaningful
- Be an honest examination of program deficiencies
- Highlight program strengths and accomplishments
- Be relevant and useful to stakeholders (board members,
audiences, outreach constituents, etc.)
- Be practical and empowering
- Relate to your organization’s goals and objectives
- Be a part of a quality control program (How does your
organization respond to patron complaints?)
Evaluation involves formalizing questions we ask ourselves every day:
- What are we doing?
- Why are we doing it?
- What are we doing well and not so well?
- What should we change, strengthen or consider eliminating in the program?
Outcomes assessment goes beyond instinct and passion:
- To systematically focus on constituent needs and whether
the funded program, project or activity is meeting those
needs; AND
- To verify that the funded program, project, or activity
is accomplishing what you think it should be accomplishing.
Evaluation need not be expensive, complicated or time-consuming,
especially if it is integrated into your organization’s
ongoing planning and programming efforts.
|
|
