Level Best: How Small and Grassroots Nonprofits Can Tackle Evaluation and Talk Results Contributor(s): Festen, Marcia (Author), Philbin, Marianne (Author), Klein, Kim (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0787979066 ISBN-13: 9780787979065 Publisher: Jossey-Bass OUR PRICE: $22.46 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: October 2006 Annotation: "Level Best" offers guidance that demystifies evaluation and takes into account the unique challenges and realities of grassroots nonprofit organizations. It provides a new framework for thinking about evaluation and tools for measuring and sharing results in ways that are practical, efficient, and meaningful. Veteran authors Marcia Festen and Marianne Philbin break down the evaluation process into five stages--planning, asking, tracking, learning, and using--and show you how to integrate evaluation into your ongoing work. Their approach emphasizes that evaluation at its best is about learning rather than judging and improving rather than proving, and that it is overall an integral part of achieving your mission. The book draws on the authors' experience with nonprofits, foundations, donors, and boards of directors, and the expertise of evaluation professionals and nonprofit managers. It includes sample forms, checklists, and materials that have been used successfully by real-life organizations, and provides sample meeting agendas that will help you make decisions and move through an evaluation process from start to finish. In easy-to-follow steps, Level Best will help you develop your evaluation plan, gather your data, and use the lessons learned to strengthen your organization and make the best possible case for continued support. Praise for "Level Best" ""Level Best" not only demystifies the process of evaluation, it offers a reasonable approach that makes sense for programs with limited time, money, or staff to devote to this area." "Of all the resources I've consultedon evaluation, "Level Best" is the most practical, the most readable, and the most supportive. The authors understand not only how great our challenges are, but how little time we have for anything that does not address our real needs--which this book does." "Offers solid guidance, clear direction, and practical applications for effective planning and program development." "A guide which avoids jargon and overcomplicated systems by simplifying and clarifying the process for smaller and newer groups. It will be a much-used and much-appreciated tool." |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Business & Economics | Nonprofit Organizations & Charities - General |
Dewey: 658.401 |
LCCN: 2006023713 |
Series: Chardon Press |
Physical Information: 0.43" H x 7.56" W x 9.2" (0.63 lbs) 160 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Level Best offers guidance that demystifies evaluation and takes into account the unique challenges and realities of grassroots nonprofit organizations. It provides a new framework for thinking about evaluation and tools for measuring and sharing results in ways that are practical, efficient, and meaningful. |