SGC Catalyst Model Element: Ongoing program evaluation and feedback to achieve outcomes

Evaluation is both a process and a product to meet internal and external program needs. To address the needs of internal and external stakeholders, an evaluation plan should support the successful project and program implementation, provide evidence of success, and serve as a model for future evaluation efforts.

Outcomes

Transparency and accountability to original project goals and community needs
Collection of community-relevant data for use in future funding or advocacy efforts
Programs can adapt and improve in real-time

How to Do This

The following examples draw on existing SGC program guidelines. The examples are intended as a guide and can be adapted to suit the needs of particular programs and contexts.

Allocate a minimum share of awarded grant funds toward third-party evaluation

Data Collection and Indicator Tracking

Applicants must allocate a minimum of three percent (3%) of their budget for data collection and indicator tracking as follows:

Three percent (3%) will be used to hire a pre-qualified third-party Evaluation Partner, which will assist with tracking and documenting the TCC Project’s progress and impact (please see Section IV for more information); and
In addition to the three percent (3%) budget allocation, the Lead and Co-Applicants must ensure adequate budget is allocated to costs to gather data and report to the Evaluation Partner and participate in evaluation activities such as focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Based on previous TCC awards, two to three percent (2-3%) of the total TCC award will cover Lead and Co-Applicant costs for indicator tracking and program evaluation activities. The Lead and Co-Applicants can include this in their direct costs.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 18)

Require regular reporting across all areas and phases of project implementation from grantees and third-party evaluators

Reporting Requirements

Grantees are responsible for four categories of reporting:

Progress Reports
- Bimonthly progress reports will be submitted with each invoice and will track the work completed during the invoice period.
- Annual progress reports will report on the overall status of the grant. They will include high-level questions not captured in the bimonthly updates.
Budget Reports
- Leverage funding expenditures will be reported annually and at the end of the grant term.
- An inventory of purchased equipment will be reported annually and at the end of the grant term.
- Detailed Work Plans and Budgets will be revised on a regular basis. These documents will contain more detail than the grant agreement and will be used as administrative tracking tools between the Grantee and the state.
Data Collection and Indicator Tracking
- Grantees must comply with the stages of data collection and indicator tracking, as described in Section II.E.
Close-Out Reports
- Project Close-out reports will be submitted as each project completes all work plan deliverables.
- A Final report will be submitted at the end of the grant term.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 42)