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RESOURCES
Key Terms
  • Goals: Broad statements of intent describing the purpose of the work, typically expressed in a 1-3 year period. For example: "Reduce the rate of pregnancy among [a neighborhood’s] adolescent girls 10% over three years through an afterschool program that emphasizes creative expression, leadership skill-building, and
    academic tutoring".

  • Desired Outcomes:The desired, meaningful changes you expect to see as a result of your work. Express
    in SMART terms (see below). For example, how will your clients be different in a year or two years?

  • Process Objectives: The specific activities you will conduct, expressed in SMART terms (see below).

  • Indicators: The relevant units of measurement to assess progress on both process objectives and desired outcomes. For example, the percent of clients who no longer smoke or who have retained full-time jobs
    after a year.
  • Theory of Change: The reasons you believe that your chosen intervention will lead to the expected changes. According to
    Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, "A theory of change is a
    systematic assessment of what needs to happen in order for a desired
    outcome to occur. Theories of change should be designed to explain
    how and why change happens as well as the potential role of an
    organization’s work in contributing to its visions of progress."


  • Logic Model: A graphic depiction (typically a matrix) of your theory of change.

  • SMART:Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-limited
Download Eleanor Smith's Strategic Program Planning Tool (pdf)

"Thank you for all your advice, clarity and push to be very specific [in
developing program outcomes]. I needed that level of support.... The new
program templates work for both staff and Board. The program is being
realigned to provide better structure for its overall growth--and for the clients."
- Gwen Henry, Associate Director and Director of Parent and Family Resource Center, Florence Crittenton Services, San Francisco


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