evaluation plan

Logic Models & Theories of Change represented by a strategic chess piece placed on top of interlocking puzzle pieces.

Logic Models and Theories of Change: What is the Difference and How Do They Help?

Leave a Comment / Logic Models, Theories of Change /

The Roadmap to Success with Planning and Evaluation Tools For nonprofit organizations, achieving measurable impact requires more than good intentions. In other words, it demands a clear, actionable roadmap that connects the organization’s mission to tangible outcomes. Logic models and theories of change (ToC) are two powerful tools that provide this clarity. These frameworks define […]

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Nonprofit evaluation planning brainstorming with hand writing 'Who, What, Where, Why' on whiteboard to define program goals and outcomes

Crafting and Implementing Effective Evaluation Plans

Evaluation, Evaluation Resources, Program Evaluation /

Transforming Goals Into Action For nonprofits, creating a strong evaluation plan is essential for measuring success, improving services, and securing funding. In this post, we’ll walk through how to build a nonprofit evaluation plan, including both process and outcome evaluations, using real-world examples tailored to nonprofit operations. Process Evaluation Plans: Monitoring Success in Real-Time Process

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DATA text on glass window representing data-driven leadership

Leveraging Research and Evaluation to Stay Ahead: Why Data-Driven Leadership Wins

Leave a Comment / Data, Data Practices, Evaluation, Research /

In a world where markets shift overnight, competition is fierce, and disruption is the norm, data-driven decision-making separates thriving organizations from those left behind. Successful leaders don’t rely on intuition alone. Instead, they leverage research to anticipate trends and evaluation to refine strategies in real time. Otherwise, without these tools, businesses risk making costly missteps,

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Research vs. Evaluation concept with magnifying glass analyzing a document, surrounded by tools for data analysis and decision-making

Research vs. Evaluation: What Every Leader Needs to Know

Leave a Comment / Evaluation, Research /

In today’s data-driven world, leaders across industries – whether in business, healthcare, education, government, or the nonprofit sector – need solid evidence to make informed decisions. But when it comes to gathering and analyzing information, two terms often get confused: research and evaluation. Are they the same? Not quite. Think of research as exploring uncharted

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How to build a strong research & evaluation foundation for 2025

Building a Strong Research & Evaluation Foundation: 2025 Blog Series

Leave a Comment / Artificial Intelligence, Evaluation /

Effective leadership hinges on the ability to adapt and make informed decisions. More importantly, research and evaluation are at the forefront of this process, providing essential insights that drive strategic decisions and success. This year, REC blogs will focus on how to support your organization with research and evaluation. Additionally, we will highlight how leaders

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Checklist

When to Hire an External Evaluator – A Checklist!

Leave a Comment / Evaluation Resources, Strategies to Improve Efficiency /

  The Decision Should your organization hire an external evaluator or evaluation firm? The answer is that it depends.   When to Work with Internal Staff Some nonprofits are poised to conduct evaluation internally. These organizations have qualified staff who know how to conduct evaluations, design surveys, collect data, analyze findings, and report results. Often,

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Tug of War Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation: Nonprofits’ Needs Versus Donor’s Requests, Part 2

Leave a Comment / Program Evaluation /

As discussed in Part 1, there are often differences in the ways that donors view program evaluation when compared to how nonprofits wish to use evaluation (Zinn, 2017). Donors view evaluation as an accountability measure and prefer evaluations that are rigorous, conducted by third-party experts, and focus on long-term outcomes (York, 2005). However, nonprofits prefer

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