Evaluation is a key part of our grantmaking. It’s a tool we use to assess grant applications and reports. It helps us build relationships with our grantees as we learn about the impact their programs have on children and families.

The framework for our evaluation system is the Independence Continuum. It’s the visual that helps us—and our grantees—focus on the progress being made as clients move from dependence to independence, which involves programs, support systems, and relationships. It all starts with learning and using the materials in our evaluation process, especially the Guide to Program Outcomes. We’re always here to help, answer questions, and support our grantees.

One of our grantees that has benefited from this evaluation process is Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network (IHN). Just Neighbors IHN's mission is to serve homeless families by uniting religious congregations, community volunteers, and local agencies in a cooperative effort to provide shelter, meals, and compassionate, comprehensive professional support.

Rev. Joshua Gale, Executive Director of Just Neighbors, offered the following perspectives and advice based upon on his experience working in this evaluation system.

How do you select outcomes, and how do you collect meaningful data that supports those outcomes?

Since Just Neighbors works largely with families enduring economic crises, and with others in an emergency context, our task to measure outcomes is a bit of a challenge. We believe long-term change begins with addressing these crises with our model, which advances advocacy before resources. That means we believe the connection from one to another can make lasting change, even in an emergency when a family thinks there is no way out. This model builds trust and has been shown to make a difference.

Therefore, we select outcomes that best match not only this model, but also allow us to show that compassion actually works long-term, and that our focus on personal relationships can lessen the effects of crisis. It is important to note, however, that we picked outcomes not based on skills acquisition as a means out of homelessness, since we do not believe people are machines that need to be fixed. Instead, we focused on outcomes that were more holistic, focusing on the transformative power of compassion.

Measuring these outcomes can also be a challenge. But we selected indicators that are measurable and, furthermore, show stability: shortening time in our shelter, measuring how many of our guests attain stable housing, and measuring increases in household income—all things we feel show stability within families and results for our model.

What does this evaluation process help you learn about your organization?

These requirements make it necessary for any organization to take a long, hard look at what it is truly accomplishing. It is easy to get into a feedback loop where we say things like, “Our mission is so important that only we understand its true benefit,” focusing on intrinsic value that doesn’t translate well outside of the organization. In short, the elevator speech we tell those around us isn’t true evaluation. This process helps us learn who we are and requires us to measure what matters. Sure, an organization can have a valuable mission within itself, but what is that organization’s value to the community? That takes serious commitment to evaluating results.

What tips do you have for others?

Use someone outside of your group to help you with the Evaluation Measurement Plan. I think that staff within nonprofits often have a hard time seeing the forest through the trees. We get in the day-to-day work of applying and reporting, reflecting on what we are doing to keep the lights on instead of what we are accomplishing for the city. Using someone outside of our normal organizational circle can help better explain why your mission is important for the city and why Foellinger Foundation should hear about it. And honestly, one group I use is my own children, who are 11 and 14. I feel that, if I can’t explain the rationale to them, the point probably isn’t well thought out. 

A final tip is one that is true for grant requests in general: focus on what the funds from a foundation are accomplishing. Doing good things in a community doesn’t mean foundation funds are truly accomplishing results. This is especially true for this evaluation model which tests the benefit of our mission in a good way.

Thank you, Rev. Gale and Just Neighbors, for this crucial work you’re doing in our community.