Evaluation
Getting Inside the Story: Ethnographic Approaches to Evaluation [PDF 161K]
To get insight into a complex community, problem or process of change, sometimes you need to look beyond conventional research or evaluation methods. Ethnography is a powerful way to step inside the culture of an organisation or community, hear ongoing feedback from multiple points of view, and understand a program's real impact. In this guide, learn about ethnography's benefits and pitfalls, and see how grant makers use the method to document, evaluate and improve approaches to youth engagement, HIV education and neighborhood policing.
Mapping Change - Grantcraft Guide [PDF 193K]
Using a Theory of Change to Guide Planning and Evaluation.
Making a Difference: Evaluating your Philanthropy [PDF 407kb]
The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) publication offers some simple, pragmatic approaches to evaluation. The most effective evaluation efforts are tailored to the size, scale and complexity of the initiative under review, and conform to the donor's philanthropic goals, strategy and learning style. The approach that you decide to take to evaluation may be formal or informal, costly or cost-free, analytical or intuitive. In the end, it is all about learning from the giving experience, gaining a better understanding of the difference you are making, and improving the effectiveness of your future philanthropic investments.
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Adding Good Minds to Warm Hearts [PDF 73kb]
Associate Professor Dorothy Scott, School of Social Work, University of Melbourne discusses evalutation and philanthropy. Conference 2004
Evaluating the Refugee Employment Programme [PDF 257kb]
JR McKenzie Trust executive director, Iain Hines, shares his organisation's experience of the refugee employment programme. Conference 2004
Investing in Effectiveness [PDF 53kb]
Funders are in a highly scrutinised position in society but generally have a lack of systems for evaluation and feedback. Philanthropy New Zealand Chair Jenny Gill gave this speech at the June 2005 funders forum.