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Gail Sawchuk

In this 1.5 hour long project-based course, you will learn how to create a program evaluation plan for your non-profit. By the end of the course, you will understand the importance of program evaluation, how to use Logic Models, how to write SMART goals for your program, and how to formulate good questions to gather the data you need.

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In this 1.5 hour long project-based course, you will learn how to create a program evaluation plan for your non-profit. By the end of the course, you will understand the importance of program evaluation, how to use Logic Models, how to write SMART goals for your program, and how to formulate good questions to gather the data you need.

Learning Objectives:

Task 1: Understand why evaluation is valuable for your program or organization.

Task 2: Learn how to identify and define the typical components of a Logic Model.

Task 3: Write SMART goals for a program outcome.

Task 4: Identify different measurement tools and how they will be helpful in the evaluation process.

Task 5: Understand what makes a good question, identify different types of questions, and practice writing good questions.

Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.

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Syllabus

Project Overview
By the end of this project, you will have created a sample Evaluation Plan using a Mock Program. The plan will include a Logic Model with a problem statement, resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes. You will also identify measurement tools and script sample questions. The sample Logic Model and Evaluation Plan will serve as a guide to fully develop an Evaluation Plan for your selected program as well as other programs within your organization.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in writing SMART program goals for program evaluation
Explains the importance of program evaluation and how to use Logic Models for planning
Designed for program managers and nonprofit staff to create evaluation plans for their programs
Taught by Gail Sawchuk, an experienced instructor in program evaluation
May be more relevant to learners in North America due to its focus on evaluation practices in that region

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Reviews summary

Nonprofit program evaluation

Learners say this course is a valuable resource for anyone responsible for program evaluation at a nonprofit organization. It covers the basics of evaluation, including how to set up a logic model and outcomes, with specific examples for reference. Excellent and clear instruction ensure that basic and beginner learners walk away with a solid foundation in nonprofit program evaluation.
Learners with limited evaluation experience found this course to be accessible.
"Good for complete beginner"
"Great course for beginners with basic concepts explained thoroughly."
Many learners found this course to be helpful.
"Excellent curse! Excellent teacher. I am very satisfied and recommend it strongly"
"Best course which I have ever seen. Best examples are given by teacher which good communication."
"Great course for getting the basics of evaluation for non-profit organisations. Highly recommend!"
Some learners encountered technical issues with the course platform.
"I was not able to open to project to work on it. Something went wrong with the cloud space."
"It doesn`t work technically und O do not understand a thing.Rvrn thr download isn`t working."
"I was not able to get the desktop to function and had to complete the assignment on a word doc on my own."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit with these activities:
Review Program Evaluation Concepts
Revise key concepts related to program evaluation to refresh your knowledge and strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Program Evaluation
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes and readings on program evaluation
  • Summarize key concepts in your own words
  • Identify areas where you need further clarification
Create a Sample Logic Model
Develop a practice Logic Model for a mock program to apply the principles and structure covered in the course.
Browse courses on Logic Models
Show steps
  • Identify the program and its objectives
  • Define the problem statement and resources
  • Create a diagram or flowchart representing the program's activities, outputs, and outcomes
Exercise: Writing SMART Goals
Practice writing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals for program evaluation to enhance your ability to define clear and actionable outcomes.
Browse courses on SMART Goals
Show steps
  • Review examples of SMART goals
  • Write SMART goals for a given program outcome
  • Evaluate and revise your goals for clarity and effectiveness
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore Measurement Tools
Investigate different measurement tools and data collection methods commonly used in program evaluation to expand your knowledge and consider options for your own evaluation plan.
Browse courses on Measurement Tools
Show steps
  • Research and compare various measurement tools
  • Identify the strengths and limitations of each tool
  • Consider potential biases and ethical considerations
Design Interview Questions
Craft high-quality interview questions to gather meaningful data for your program evaluation, ensuring that you obtain valuable insights and perspectives.
Browse courses on Data Collection
Show steps
  • Determine the purpose of the interviews
  • Identify the key areas you want to explore
  • Formulate questions that are specific, open-ended, and unbiased
  • Pilot test your questions and make necessary revisions
Peer Review: Evaluation Plans
Collaborate with peers to critique and refine your evaluation plan, gaining valuable feedback and improving the quality and effectiveness of your evaluation approach.
Browse courses on Logic Models
Show steps
  • Share your evaluation plan with a peer
  • Provide feedback on their plan, focusing on strengths, weaknesses, and improvement areas
  • Incorporate feedback into your own plan
Mentor Junior Colleagues
Apply your knowledge and skills by mentoring junior colleagues, helping them develop their understanding of program evaluation and practical implementation.
Browse courses on Program Evaluation
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor others
  • Share your experiences and expertise
  • Provide guidance and support
  • Evaluate the impact of your mentoring

Career center

Learners who complete How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Evaluation Researcher
An Evaluation Researcher would be aided tremendously by the skills taught in the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. Beyond the surface level skills of creating surveys and tests, this course delves deeply into the critical evaluation of programs. In this course, learners will not only learn how to run a program evaluation, but also how to understand the results of one.
Program Manager
Someone who wants to be a Program Manager would be wise to take the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. The skills one will learn from this course are essential to any Program Manager. Students of this course will learn how to ask good questions to gather the data that they need, and how to lay out a sound evaluation plan.
Nonprofit Manager
For someone looking to be a Nonprofit Manager, one can do little better than taking the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. Per the course description, this course focuses on the importance of evaluation, the use of Logic Models, the proper setting of goals, and the formulation of effective questions. These skills are all essential for any Nonprofit Manager.
Nonprofit Executive Director
How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit would be of great use to someone who wants to be a Nonprofit Executive Director. Program evaluation is an essential component of any nonprofit organization, and this course will help someone who wants to be a Nonprofit Executive Director get up to speed on the subject.
Fundraising Manager
A Fundraising Manager can benefit from taking the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. As a Fundraising Manager will often need to justify the organization's expenses, grantors and large donors will often want to see a rigorous evaluation of the program in which their money is being invested. This course will help someone who wants to be a Fundraiser build the skills necessary to properly evaluate programs.
Program Officer
The course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit, can help teach a prospective Program Officer how to properly write goals, measure progress, and critically evaluate their approaches in order to manage and improve their programs. It delves especially deeply into writing SMART goals. SMART goals are an important, if not essential, part of the evaluation process.
Grants Manager
A Grants Manager will likely benefit from taking How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. While fundraising is outside the scope of this course, some grantors require a detailed evaluation plan prior to allocating funds. Being able to provide a clear, coherent plan is important in securing grants.
Social Impact Analyst
How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit would be useful to someone who wants to be a Social Impact Analyst. It is arguably most useful because it can help a Social Impact Analyst ask the right questions and lay out a good evaluation plan. These two skills alone can save large amounts of time and money while also cutting down the potential for error.
Social Worker
For someone who wants to be a Social Worker, the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit, may be of use. Social Workers evaluate the effectiveness of programs all the time, and this course goes a long way towards teaching the theory behind effective program evaluation.
Budget Analyst
A person who wants to be a Budget Analyst may find use in taking the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. This course will teach some of the critical thinking required to properly evaluate a budget and make recommendations for change.
Statistician
Someone who wants to be a Statistician should take How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. This course will help such a person learn how to document their process and write clear, detailed questions. Both skills are essential to the field of statistics.
Public Health Educator
Someone who wants to be a Public Health Educator may find some use in How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. Someone in this field will need to know how to effectively ask the right questions to get the data they need. This course teaches that skill in great detail.
Policy Analyst
Someone who wants to be a Policy Analyst may want to consider the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. This course will help provide the necessary background for someone who wants to critically evaluate the effectiveness of policies.
Market Researcher
A Market Researcher may benefit from taking the course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit. This course will teach the research skills needed to be effective in the field of Market Research, especially those skills valuable at the start of a project.
Data Analyst
The course, How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit, would be of use to an aspiring Data Analyst. Because this course teaches the basics of program evaluation, it will certainly help a Data Analyst learn more about the reasons why data is important, and how to most effectively use it after it is collected.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit .
Provides a comprehensive guide to program evaluation, including the principles, methods, and tools necessary for conducting effective evaluations. It valuable resource for nonprofits seeking to design and implement rigorous evaluation plans.
Offers a practical guide to designing and conducting evaluations of social programs. It covers a wide range of methods and techniques, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and provides guidance on selecting the most appropriate methods for different evaluation purposes.
Provides a comprehensive guide to program evaluation in education and social science contexts. It covers the foundations of evaluation, including theory, design, and methods, and offers practical guidance on conducting evaluations in real-world settings.
Provides a concise and practical guide to setting SMART goals, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It useful resource for nonprofits seeking to establish clear and actionable program goals.
Offers practical guidance on communicating evaluation findings effectively to different audiences. It covers various techniques and strategies for presenting data, writing reports, and delivering presentations, ensuring that evaluation results are clearly and persuasively communicated.
Provides a foundational understanding of logic and critical thinking, which are essential skills for program evaluation. It covers the principles of deductive and inductive reasoning, fallacies, and argument analysis, enhancing the ability to critically evaluate information and draw sound conclusions.

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