Need Grant Writing Help? - Evaluation Component - Part 5 of 11

And moving right along....

So far we have drafted a Need Statement, Goals and Objectives, and Methods.


Next up, the Evaluation Component where we answer questions that both your organization and your possible funder will have.  Pretend your project is completed and these are the questions you need to answer:

• Was the program successful?

• Did we do what we set out to do?

• What was the impact on the target audience?

• What did we learn and what can we build upon?

• What didn't work and why or why didn't it?

• What is different because we engaged in this project?

This section is all about demonstrating the project will be successful, how you will measure the impact, and how efficient your project is.  A solid evaluation component in a proposal reassures the possible funder that the organization is interested in learning whether they can make their plan successful.  Also by defining in advance how you will evaluate success your organization will be forced to look at the steps in your plan that are weak and help you to strengthen in now (and write the previous sections as needed).  In other words this will help you improve as you go now and while implementing the project.  Evaluation is one of the strongest and most effective tools any nonprofit has to verify and document that it is indeed fulfilling its obligation to make a positive impact on the community.

1. When preparing the evaluation section of the proposal, answer the following:
2. What is the purpose of your organization's evaluation?
3. How will the findings be used?
4. What will you know after the evaluation that you do not know now?
5. What will you do after the evaluation that you cannot do now because of lack of information?
6. How will the lives of the people or community you serve be better?

It is highly suggested that you think in terms of quantitative and qualitative information.  The evaluation component should highlight the data collection methods you plan to employ for the program,  Like every other component of the proposal, the evaluation should connect directly with both the objectives and the methods.  If your objectives and methods were crafted as recommended - meaning they are measurable and time-specific - that will make the task of preparing a good data collection plan and proposal evaluation much easier.

Next up.... Sustaining Strategies......