LOGIC MODELING & EVALUATION RESOURCES Books, Workbooks, and DVDs Benchmarking for Nonprofits: How To Measure, Manage, and Improve Performance, by Jason Saul, Book, order from The Center for What Works How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of “Intangibles” in Business, by Douglas W. Hubbard Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy, by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey, published by Bloomberg PR. This book by leaders of the Hewlett Foundation, the sixth largest U.S. foundation, describes the need for strategic philanthropic investments that lead to measurable social change. Available from major booksellers. Outcome Frameworks: An Overview for Practitioners, by Robert M. Penna and William J. Phillips, Book, order from Rensselaerville Institute’s website Outcomes for Success!, by The Evaluation Forum, 2000, Book Results Accountability Workshop, with Mark Friedman, DVD ROI for NonProfits: The New Key to Sustainability, by Tom Ralser, John Wiley & Sons, 2007. Available from major booksellers. Theory of Change: A Practical Tool for Action, Results and Learning, by Organizational Research Services, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2004. E-Learning Courses on Evaluation and Logic Models Center for What Works (CFWW) provides low-cost e-learning courses on outcomes benchmarking at different levels and free downloadable tools and evaluation frameworks (logic models) with indicators for many program. Measuring Success , a Cambridge, MA consulting and training firm, offers newsletters and webinars, including “The 7 Steps for Data-Driven Decisionmaking” Program Development and Evaluation Unit, University of Wisconsin Extension This is an excellent, free, 7-module course called “Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models”; see other resources on UWEX site. Evaluation Resources and Tools Center for Effective Philanthropy This site is targeted to foundations; CEP is an affinity group of the Council on Foundations and a thought leader in philanthropy circles. ETO, Efforts to Outcomes Software, Solution Solutions Customizable software for human services organizations designed by social services professionals. Foundation Center, PubHub Searchable database of foundation-sponsored reports, incl. program evaluations (search by foundation, program area, year, report type and keyword) Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) Offers publications on evaluation targeted to grantmakers. Innovation Network Register (for free) to gain access to Point K, a collection of web-based tools for planning evaluations, developing logic models, and creating surveys. Results-based Accountability and the Fiscal Policy Studies Institute See list of publications, some are free, downloadable The Urban Institute Outcomes Indicator Project (in partnership with Center for What Works) free downloadable logic models and indicators for 14 program areas ranging from adult education and advocacy to employment training, performing arts and youth mentoring Western Michigan University Evaluation Center Free downloadable tools and resources for evaluators. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Free downloadable or hard copy evaluation resources Glossary of Terms Outcomes: The desired, meaningful changes in your target population, the community or environment that you expect to see as the result of your work. Often expressed as short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes, outcomes should be stated in SMART terms (see below). Indicators: Units of measurement to assess progress on objectives and outcomes. Inputs: Staff, budget, volunteers, other resources to accomplish your activities or objectives. Logic Model: A graphic depiction (typically a matrix) of your theory of change. Process Objectives: The specific activities you will conduct, expressed in SMART terms. Outputs: Deliverables, such as reports, number of graduates, job placements, and so forth. Distinct from outcomes, as they are not the results you desire, but a means to an end. SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-limited Theory of Change: A flow chart illustrating several tiers of outcomes on a pathway of change from a group’s interventions to the ultimate social impact intended. Download Eleanor’s article on the benefits of developing a theory of change and logic model: “Why Bother with Theory of Change and Logic Models?” (pdf) "Eleanor is a wonderful facilitator. She allows people to talk freely, then cuts it off to move on without anyone feeling offended. When [the strategic planning process] was over, she didn't leave any fingerprints: the work product was truly that of the group." - Board Member of a Public-Private Collaboration Home | © Copyright 2011. Eleanor A. Smith & Associates. All rights reserved.