Resource Center

Thursday, October 02, 2008
Evaluation Handbook

This handbook is intended to support Endowment grantees and others in their evaluation and project improvement processes. The handbook provides an overview of project evaluation techniques and practices and offers an approach to evaluation that will assist grantees and others in evaluating their work—for themselves, for funders, and for others who are interested in learning about what does and does not work.

This handbook provides updated information on the Endowment’s workplan and outcomes evaluation processes and templates. The handbook is not intended as a comprehensive evaluation compendium; rather, it is designed to provide “need-to-know” basics for conducting evaluation for those new to evaluation or new to the Endowment. However, there will undoubtedly be users of this handbook who are more skilled in evaluation or who want to go further with evaluation—for you, we have provided information about additional resources in text boxes at the end of each section.

Tuesday, January 01, 2002
User-Friendly Handbook for Project Evaluation

This handbook discusses quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, suggesting ways in which they can be used as complements in an evaluation strategy. Program manager can increase their understanding of the evaluation process and gain knowledge that will help them to communicate with evaluators as well as manage the actual evaluation.

Saturday, December 01, 2001
Logic Model Development Guide

Good evaluation reflects clear thinking and responsible program management. Learning and using tools like logic models can serve to increase the practitioner's voice in the domains of planning, design, implementation, analysis, and knowledge generation. The process of developing the model is an opportunity to chart the course. It is a conscious process that creates an explicit understanding of the challenges ahead, the resources available, and the timetable in which to hit the target. In addition, it helps keep a balanced focus on the big picture as well as the component parts.

Thursday, January 01, 1998
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook

Evaluation should be supportive and responsive to projects, rather than an end to itself. This handbook can be useful for those who must plan and conduct an evaluation with the assistance of an external evaluator. It provides a framework for thinking about evaluation and outlines a blueprint for designing and conducting evaluations, either independently or with support.

Wednesday, January 01, 1997
Taking Stock: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Your Own Programs

Do you want information that will help improve your organization’s programs? Are your sponsors asking about the quality and impact of the programs they fund? Are you applying for a grant that requires an evaluation plan? If you answered “Yes” to any of these, then this manual can help. It is a practical guide to program evaluation written for community-based organizations (CBOs). It provides information that you can put to use now to help improve your programs.

Enhancing Program Performance With Logic Models

This course introduces a holistic approach to planning and evaluating education and outreach programs. Module 1 helps program practitioners use and apply logic models. Module 2 applies logic modeling to a national effort to evaluate community nutrition education.

Evaluation Resources

To support a learning organization and to ensure the wise investment of resources, evaluation is critical. Written evaluation plans are developed as part of the program planning process. In recent years, the organization has moved to an outcome-based planning and reporting system with evaluation playing a critical role in learning, program improvement and accountability.

Thursday, May 01, 2008
Endowment for Health Operating Grant Pilot Program

The Endowment's operating grant program is based on the theory that some organizations critical to the long-term health infrastructure in New Hampshire are best able to achieve their missions and support ours by obtaining unrestricted support. This evaluation examines the use and impact of operating grants as well as the structure and implementation of them.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Endowment for Health Grantee Perception Report 2008

The Endowment for Health periodically gathers feedback from grantees through focus groups and surveys to better understand how we're doing. In 2007 we engaged the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) to conduct a survey of our grantees on their experiences with and perceptions of the Endowment. Seventy-one percent of our grantees completed this confidential survey. We conducted a similar survey in 2004. The information collected provides helpful feedback about our performance as a foundation. CEP compared our survey results with those of 123 other foundations, including a cohort of 15 health conversion foundations. This analysis provides us with information about how we compare to other foundations and enables us to benchmark against them. A summary of the survey findings is presented in this document.

Sunday, April 01, 2007
Opinion Leaders' Views of the Endowment for Health

As part of ongoing efforts to assess our work and inform strategic and operational planning, the Endowment for Health periodically solicits feedback from a variety of stakeholders. In Spring 2007, the Endowment contracted with Louis Karno & Company Communications to conduct a study to gauge knowledge of the Endowment and its work amongst opinion leaders. The study was also aimed at understanding perceptions about the foundation's effectiveness and credibility, as well as organizational strengths and weaknesses. This document is a summary of the survey findings and how we are using them.