1. Making the Right Kind of Difference Evaluating Organizations for Taking Action
2. Okay, okay… so what is this all about? Well, it’s a big World… with lots of complicated issues! So why not just raise some money and send it off in the mail? And so many people want to help! Sure that works for some. But we need ACTIVE problem solvers in the world… that’s where change happens!
3. There are many organizations that differ in how they… Engage problems Use Resources Arrive at solutions Hmmmm… Seems like all three are important! You better believe it!
4. So today you are going to learn a framework for evaluating organizations. This will give you the power to decide how you will Take Action!
5. Now Presenting… The Evaluation Framework … The BIG 5 1. What is the organization’s overall Goal or Mission Statement? 2. What kind of expertise does the organization have in the problem they are trying to solve? Ummm… this is a lot to think about. Why don’t we break it down one by one… 3. How are decisions made in the organization? 4. At what level does the organization engage the issue? 5. Is the organization sustainable ? Will the projects last over time?
6. 1. Evaluating an organization’s mission . An organization’s goals, often listed in a Mission Statement, gives you a window on what they care about. You should determine if you care about the same things. Does their mission sound right to you? Go with your gut . Here’s a tip! Many organizations have their mission statement written in the ABOUT US section of their website.
7. 2. Analyzing an organization’s expertise . What level of research is behind the organization’s analysis of the problem they are trying to solve? Come on buddy, we know about that! That’s the SCIENTIFIC METHOD! Do other groups respect the organization as an authority on the problem? Some organizations challenge the way we normally think about a problem, and come up with innovative approaches. Is this the type of organization you are looking at? Its important that an organization is not making assumptions! You want to make sure they are well informed, and using research that: -asks questions -forms hypotheses -tests hypotheses and makes observations -analyzes results
8. 3. Assessing how organizations make decisions . Who is on the Board of Directors , and how are they qualified to make important decisions? Some organizations work with local communities. Decisions they make could really effect many people. Always consider who is impacted by the organizations’ actions, and see if those people have a voice! How are local communities included in the decisions? How big is the staff at the organization? Do the people who work directly with an issue have a voice in decisions?
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11. That was a lot of information! Lets recap the important points…
12. There are so many groups doing good work! The organization’s goals should match with your own. Make sure that organization solutions come from expertise and not assumptions. Evaluating organizations is important for finding how your Take Action project can be the most effective . Who has a voice in understanding problems and creating solutions? Is a grassroots or top down organization right for your cause? The solutions and funding of your organization should be sustainable . Find the right fit for your passion.
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14. Outside Perspectives on Non-Profit Organizations: International Organizations: www.globalgiving.com www.universalgiving. org US Organizations: www.charitynavigator.org www.idealist.org
16. Children’s Town Zambia The effect of HIV/AIDS on families in Zambia has been devastating. More than 1 million children are estimated to be orphans. Children’s Town provides a supportive environment and education to former street children and orphans from the major towns and cities in Zambia. It is also a community school for local disadvantaged children.
17. Guided by an experienced and loving staff, the children receive schooling, training in important topics such as health, and participate in the operation of their community, including tending a fifty-hectare vegetable garden and a herd of goats that produce food for the Children's Town and generate income for its operation. Total cost for one child per year in the program is $430. School supplies and books for one child for one year is $30.
18. Afghan Institute of Learning Afghanistan & Pakistan The Afghan Institute of Learning is committed to improving the health and education of Afghan women and children after three decades of war and civil strife, and enhancing the quality of their lives. It began in 1995 by setting up schools in refugee camps in Pakistan and in people’s houses during a time that girls were not allowed to attend school in Afghanistan.
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20. Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Walnut Creek, Ca. ARF saves dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and brings people and animals together to enrich each others lives. ARF strives to create a world where every dog and cat has a home, where every lonely person has a companion animal, and where children learn to care.
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22. Rare Conservation Headquarters in Virginia, works Worldwide Rare specializes in social marketing – a method for changing attitudes and behaviors that has been successfully applied to issues like seatbelt use and smoking. Rare has created a model called a “Pride” campaign, that inspires people to take pride in natural assets and take action to protect them. Rare applies this approach in 40 countries around the world to encourage people to protect endangered animals and biodiversity. It has trained 120 local leaders in the developing world, and influenced 6.8 million people living in 2,400 remote communities.
23. An example is the Pride campaign in the Derawan Islands of Indonesia, where green sea turtles and other marine creatures were threatened by destructive fishing techniques such as using dynamite to catch larger quantities of fish. Rare wanted to help local people understand that this environmental damage threatened their food supply and quality of life. The Pride campaign used colorful posters, a green sea turtle mascot, cooking competitions, trips for kids in glass bottomed boats to learn about marine life, and billboards near fishing piers. Ministers talked about conservation in their sermons. At the end, about 90% of the community was aware that their local area was a Marine Protected Area, an impressive improvement from the initial 18.75%.
24. This is where you have the POWER to take action. (But don’t forget to have fun!) Want to learn more about getting involved? www.newglobalcitizens.org www.dosomething.org
Editor's Notes
Some of the points in the framework will be more or less important to you, based on the problem you are taking action on, and your own values. And you may not be able to find out everything you’d like to know about an organization. But this framework will still give you valuable information for thinking about organizations you might work with.
What most people focus on first. The key to your relationship with an organization – what makes it your cause. What are some problems or missions you are motivated to work on?
What kind of things might you look for?
Nonprofit structure: Board provides overall direction. What activities should they do to address mission? How should they spend their funds? Board members are usually volunteers. Staff carries out the programs and activities. These are usually paid jobs. If an organization serves a particular group of people, for instance, students or homeless people, does the board and staff listen to their experience in the program? How? Does a recipient of services have a seat on the board, or is there a committee that can report to the board?
Grassroots knows local communities and situations best. Top-Down has more resources and a broader reach. This school’s Parent’s Club is an example of a grassroots organization – started by local people, run by local people, totally focused on this community. UNICEF an example of a top-down organization. Operates in almost every country in the world. Sometimes large organizations like UNICEF actually do some of their work by providing money to local grassroots organizations to do it.
Important for smart philanthropy! Ideally, the organization you work with will be strong and work well into the future on the problem. The best local projects are designed so that they can become self-supporting and won’t need outside donations forever. A good example is the Heifer Project. Once a family receives farm animals and training about how to take care of them, they can continue benefitting from those animals and their offspring, and will not need ongoing assistance from Heifer.
As you consider the five areas in this framework, you will be making your decision in a very informed and sophisticated way. Similar to the way large foundations such as Gates and Hewlett decide who to give their money to.
Some of these require free registration. When you look at financial numbers for organizations on these sites, remember that grassroots organizations often have higher “overhead” costs than larger organizations. For instance, a two room office with 5 computers may make up a larger proportion of the budget than a whole office building does for a large organization. Particularly if the grassroots organization uses a lot of volunteers to work in its programs. But grassroots organizations can be effective is situations where top-down organizations are not. So keep that context in mind when you look at budget figures.
Let’s look at these examples and talk about what more you would want to know about them, using this framework.
Good luck with your project! What you are learning and thinking about will help you take effective action throughout your life.
