Data+Soul Summer Learning Series: Engaging Evaluations for Meaningful Impact

Funders who commission evaluations

Funders who require evaluation activities and/or reporting of their grantees

Non-profit leaders or staff who write evaluation plans into grant proposals

In this workshop, we will review three evaluation approaches (formative, summative, and developmental evaluation) and demonstrate how to right-size evaluation expectations and approaches based on where a program is in its development. We will also review the tradeoffs of using two traditional evaluation and programming planning tools (logic models, theories of change) and introduce the Story+Data Map, a person-centered, assets-based tool for articulating program theory and planning data collection. Using practical tools and real-world case studies, participants will leave with a stronger foundation in finding balance between community-forward evaluation and demonstrating impact.

Articulate appropriate evaluation expectations based on where a program is in its development

Discuss the pros/cons of three evaluation and program planning tools: theories of change, logic models, and the Story+Data Map

• Funders who commission evaluations

• Funders who require evaluation activities and/or reporting of their grantees

• Non-profit leaders, decision-makers, and staff who rely heavily on quantitative data for measuring impact

In this workshop, we will discuss key considerations for identifying and using culturally-responsive data collection approaches to gather feedback and understand impact. Using recent case studies, we will introduce two qualitative data collection approaches – Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) and Outcome Harvesting (OH) – and demonstrate how these methods can be used by non-profit organizations and funders to rigorously gather meaningful evidence and articulate impact.Description text goes here

• Describe key aspects of culturally responsive data collection approaches

• Articulate how qualitative data can be used for understanding impact

• Identify qualitative data collection approaches for demonstrating impactDescription text goes here

• Funders who commission evaluations

• Funders who require evaluation activities and/or reporting of their grantees

• Funders, non-profit leaders, and evaluators who are eager to use data to inform strategy and encourage a culture of learning

In this workshop, we will explore what gets in the way of using data for learning and showcase strategies for building a practice and culture of learning. We will introduce two tools and use real-world case studies to illustrate how these tools have been used effectively to cultivate a culture of evaluative thinking and ensure that evaluation is used to inform organizational strategy and programDescription text goes here

• Articulate key audiences for evaluation and how those audiences use evaluation

• Apply tools to use evaluation for learning and strategic adaptationDescription text goes here

• Funders who commission evaluations

• Funders who require evaluation activities and/or reporting of their grantees

• Funders, non-profit leaders, and evaluators who are eager to use data to inform decision-makers, inspire change, and share knowledge back with communities

In this workshop, we will make the case for why tailoring findings with a specific audience in mind matters and review key considerations for crafting compelling, data-informed stories. We will then introduce simple but powerful tools and techniques that can be adapted for sharing data stories across many audiences.

• Describe the key components of a compelling data story

• Articulate key audiences and identify appropriate tools to share stories with these audiences