Framework for a Basic Nonprofit Program Evaluation Plan

Written by Max | Edited by Rory Hart

Last updated on Jul 30, 2023

Sections of this topic

Stylish woman writing in notebook on the desk

Directions

The following framework will guide you through the completion of your basic nonprofit program evaluation plan document. Resources and basic questions to fill in each section of the plan are referenced in Module 7: Program Design and Marketing

Readers are encouraged to work with a planning team in their organization to fill in this framework. After completing this framework, readers can move information from the framework to a more suitable document to be the final version of the plan document, if desired.

Also, consider
Related Library Topics

[NAME OF YOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION!]

PROGRAM EVALUATION PLAN FOR

[name of the program!]

[date!]

Purpose of Evaluation?
What do you want to be able to decide as a result of the evaluation? For example:
__ Understand, verify, or increase the impact of products or services on customers/clients (eg, outcomes evaluation)
__ Improve delivery mechanisms to be more efficient and less costly (eg, process evaluation)
__ Verify that we’re doing what we think we’re doing (eg, process evaluation)
__ Clarify program goals, processes, and outcomes for management planning
__ Public relations
__ Program comparisons, eg., to decide which should be retained
__ Fully examine and describe effective programs for duplication elsewhere
__ Other reason(s)

Audience(s) for the Evaluation?
Who are the audiences for the information from the evaluation, for example:
__ Clients/customers
__ Funders/Investors
__ Board members
__ Management
__ Staff/employees
__ Other(s) _________________

What Kinds of Information Are Needed?
What kinds of information are needed to make the decision you need to make and/or enlighten your intended audiences, for example, information to understand:
__ The process of the product or service delivery (its inputs, activities, and outputs)
__ The customers/clients who experience the product or service
__ Strengths and weaknesses of the product or service
__ Benefits to customers/clients (outcomes)
__ How the product or service failed and why, etc.
__ Other type(s) of information?

Type of Evaluation?
Based on the purpose of the evaluation and the kinds of information needed, what types of evaluation are being planned?
__ Goal-based?
__ Process-based?
__ Outcomes-based?
__ Other(s)? _____________

Where Should Information Be Collected From?
__ Staff/employees
__ Clients/customers
__ Program documentation
__ Funders/Investors
__ Other(s) _____________

How Can Information Be Collected in a Reasonable and Realistic Fashion?
__ Questionnaires
__ Interviews
__ Documentation
__ Observing clients/customers
__ Observing staff/employees
__ Conducting focus groups among_____

When is the Information Needed?

What Resources Are Available to Collect the Information?

For the Category of Evaluations (Many Kinds):

To round out your knowledge of this Library topic, you may want to review some related topics, available from the link below. Each of the related topics includes free, online resources.

Also, scan the Recommended Books listed below. They have been selected for their relevance and highly practical nature.

Max

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