New Evaluation Approaches

You might find the following evaluation-related links of interest:

• FSG's writings on evaluation

• Directory of Evaluators: Basic contact information from and about evaluators both nationally and internationally. Developed with support from the National Science Foundation, it is provided as a service to those seeking evaluation assistance. The directory includes both individuals and organizations, and may be searched by name, area of specialty, or geographic location.

• GrantCraft - Evaluation Techniques: A Series of Brief Guides: Perspectives to help grantmakers weigh the advantages of different evaluation approaches. Each guide explains the basics of one evaluation technique, answers common questions about its use, describes how some grantmakers are applying it, and includes a list of resources for readers who want to learn more.
• Harvard Family Research Project - The Evaluation Exchange: A quarterly publication highlighting innovative methods and approaches to evaluation, emerging trends in evaluation practice, and practical applications of evaluation theory. It goes out to its subscribers free of charge four times per year.
• Innovation Network - Point K Learning Center: Tools and resources designed to build nonprofits' ability to plan and evaluate their own programs. Tools include an organizational assessment tool; a logic model builder; and an evaluation plan builder, which moves from goal-setting to identification of evaluation questions, indicators, and data collection strategies for evaluating program outcomes and implementation.
• Neighborhood Funders Group - Community Giving Resource, Measuring Results: A resource for smaller foundations or individual donors, who may find capital-"E" Evaluation overwhelming, complicated, and expensive. Evaluation tips help to demystify the evaluation process and to decide whether and how to hire an outside evaluator.

• American Evaluation Association (AEA): The AEA is an international professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. The AEA defines evaluation as a process that involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products, and organizations to improve their effectiveness.
• Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers: The Forum is a national network of the 32 regional associations of grantmakers in the U.S. These are nonprofit membership associations of private and community foundations, corporations, individuals, and others committed to strengthening philanthropy in the geographic areas in which they operate. Regional associations hep to bolster the philanthropic community and to improve the quality of life in their regions by networking grantmakers, providing professional development opportunities, and creating and sharing knowledge on grantmaking and trends in philanthropy.
• Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO): GEO is a coalition of more than 600 grantmakers committed to building strong and effective nonprofit organizations. GEO's mission is to maximize philanthropy's impact by advancing the effectiveness of grantmakers and their grantees. The Web site contains many useful tools and articles, some of which are accesible to members only.