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.