Research: Other Organizations

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Creating a Culture of Inquiry: Changing methods-and minds-on the use of evaluation in nonprofit organizations
G. Hernandez and M. Visher, 2001
Looks at efforts to help six nonprofits build their capacity to evaluate their programs' services to clients in the Bay Area. Funded by the James Irvine Foundation's Working on Workforce Development Project. Outlines the components of effective evaluation and desired outcomes, then frankly analyzes the success of the project. Appendix provides a sample performance measurement tool used by Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, California. Click on the Irvine Foundation link below and then go to the Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector.
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Evaluation with Power: A New Approach to Organizational Effectiveness
S. Gray, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997
Expert advice on organizational learning and self-assessment. Emphasizes how to get the most out of evaluation efforts and covers issues such as staff empowerment, inclusion of volunteers in evaluation efforts, using client feedback, and resource development. Available for purchase from:
http://www.josseybass.com/cda/product/0,,0787909130,00.html

Using Performance Measurement to Improve Public and Nonprofit Programs: New Directions for Evaluation
K. Newcomer, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997
This issue of the American Evaluation Association's journal, New Directions for Evaluation, takes a critical look at performance measurement in both public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Provides legislative, financial and managerial context for performance measurement, discusses best practices, and gives examples of implementation in a variety of organizational settings. Available for purchase from:
http://www.josseybass.com/cda/product/0,,078799846X,00.html