Activating Change through Program Evaluation

Recently I was leading a focus group composed of older adults who were experiencing poverty to better understand their needs, wants, and challenges with their local food pantries. Based on past focus groups with neighbors who frequent food pantries, I expected the group of older adults to provide feedback about food variety or the operating hours of the food pantry. Instead, I learned that most of the food they receive from the pantry goes unused for several reasons such as medical dietary restrictions or receiving too much food in the pantry box for households of 1-2 adults. In this case, the focus group was a useful evaluation tool for helping the food pantries right-size the types and amounts of food they provide for older adults. 

Nonprofits have typically been required to use program evaluation as a means of accountability to their funders. In the past couple of decades program evaluation has also emerged as a useful tool for nonprofits to reflect on how well their  programs align with the nonprofit’s mission and with the needs of the communities they serve. When used this way, program evaluation becomes a powerful tool for identifying: service disparities, areas for improvement, budget and/or resource priorities, opportunities for expansion, etc. In other words, program evaluation allows organizations to tell the story of their work and its impact on the community.  

When used as a tool for learning and improvement, program evaluation can be used at any time. It’s especially helpful during periods of decision making or organizational changes such as before strategic planning, when planning budgets, or during leadership transitions.

At SWIM, evaluation goes beyond the traditional approach of “evaluation for accountability” and, instead, uses evaluation as a strategic tool for learning, improving, deciding, emphasizing, and demonstrating program impact. SWIM approaches evaluation through an equity lens that emphasizes participation and inclusion. This process is centered around activating moments for change at all levels from the recipients of program activities to the program’s sponsoring organization to the greater community.

Learn more about program evaluation with SWIM here, We’d love to hear about your evaluation needs - schedule a discovery call today.