The following is a brief, step-by-step outline of a reflective evaluation process:

1. Convene Project Staff and Partners

To review project goals, strategies, and budget

2. Form an Evaluation Team

Assign one person to coordinate the evaluation

3. Determine Your Evaluation Questions

What is most important for you to know:

a) To show results?
b) To improve the project?
c) To improve your organization?
d) To engage important constituencies?

4. What is most important for The Rhode Island Foundation to know?

a) Evaluation questions you were asked in the Foundation's grant award letter
b) Grant Report Guidelines

5. What information will answer your questions

a) Who has it?
b) Where is it? Is it easily accessible?
c) What form is it in?

6. How do you collect information?

a) From project records, surveys, focus groups, observation
b) Project products
c) From staff, participants, volunteers
d) Determine where costs varied from the original budget

7. How do you use information?

a) Within the project staff and organizational partnerships
b) With other constituencies - funders, government, press, local civic organizations

8. Report to The Rhode Island Foundation

And to other people and organizations that should know your results.