Accountability &

Effectiveness

Innovation Network, Inc.

January 22, 2003

January 23, 2003Slide 2

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

We believe that ongoing program evaluation is the most powerful

and underutilized tool for enhancing the ability of nonprofits

to create lasting change in the communities they serve.

January 23, 2003Slide 3

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Program Evaluation is . . .An ongoing process which helps decision

makers better understand: How a program is organized and implemented What impact the program has on participants,

partner agencies and the community; Internal and external factors influencing the

program and its impact

January 23, 2003Slide 4

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Program Evaluation Products & ServicesHelping nonprofits:

Demonstrate the impact of their work Provide timely, useable information on

program outcomes, promoting effectiveness

Become more sustainable

January 23, 2003Slide 5

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Participatory Approach

Engages staff and stakeholders Produces relevant information Empowers stakeholders Encourages collaborative effort

January 23, 2003Slide 6

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Evaluation Practices

Core Management Function Focus on process and outcomes Creating culture of ongoing learning Incorporates Multiple Perspectives Never Punitive Results shared internally and externally

January 23, 2003Slide 7

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Planning Finance & Accountability Organizational Structure Fundraising Communications Innovativeness Quality and Responsiveness Organizational Learning

Elements of Organizational Effectiveness

Nonprofit Effectiveness

Organization

Environment

and

Community

Intersection with Environment

Implementation

Implementation

Implem

entation

OUTCOMES

Results

January 23, 2003Slide 8

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Rapid Organizational Assessment

January 23, 2003Slide 9

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Measurement Tools

Instruments for measuring program process and outcomes Surveys Interviews Focus Groups Document Reviews Observation

Instruments for measuring internal capacity and structure Questionnaires Site visits

January 23, 2003Slide 10

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Nonprofit Bottom Line

Financial AccountabilityResults

January 23, 2003Slide 11

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Describing the Intersection

Planning Sustainability Governance Reporting

The intersection between an organization and its environment/community is described in terms of Financial Accountability and Results:

January 23, 2003Slide 12

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Planning

Theory of Change Approach

Goals

Activities, Resources Outputs, Outcomes

January 23, 2003Slide 13

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Sustainability

Expansion of financial resources over time

Continuing relevance to clients and communities

January 23, 2003Slide 14

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Governance

Fiduciary responsibilityOutcomes and results

orientation

January 23, 2003Slide 15

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Reporting

Multiple constituencies need information for decision making

Increasing emphasis on watchdogs and profiles

An opportunity to show measurable results

January 23, 2003Slide 16

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Case Examples

• The Community Shelter• National Association of Child

Advocates• National Trust for Historic

Preservation

January 23, 2003Slide 17

Innovation Network, Inc. Allison Fine

Founder & Executive Director

Getting Started

Cultivate and reward internal culture of learning

Use available tools (Drucker Foundation, InnoNet.org)

Carve out intentional planning teams and time