Imagine this: a foundation's directors gather to discuss their projects, evaluation approaches, and results.  The group questions program objectives, considers evaluation methodology, and makes recommendations for better aligning their strategies, which they hope will lead to more compelling results.  Talk turns to the economy.  The directors share stories about programs that have been discontinued or abandoned altogether.  They wonder about the financial fitness of their own foundation.  "Will we be able to continue of projects?  How can we continue to support strong evaluation?"

Evaluation in tough economic times is not an oxymoron.  Today, funders bring a more critical eye to their grantees, ensuring that dollars are well spent and create the desired impact. Now is the time to emphasize building an organization's capacity for evaluation, becoming smart consumers of evaluation by effectively allocating the right resources, facilitating learning, and developing existing assets within the organization.  Now is the time to become a Community of Learners. 

The  Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) was established in 1999 to improve lives by changing health systems across the state. Former Board Chair Leo Canty recently spoke with TCC Group Consultant Chris Cardona about the foundation's journey and the role that information, inclusion, and influence played in furthering its effectiveness. Read the interview here. 

Investors expect for-profit leaders to use research and development to determine which combination of product elements work, for whom, and under what conditions. Philanthropic investors expect nonprofit leaders to use social research methods to measure whether an entire program or strategy changed the target audience, usually in contrast to a control group.

Join Senior Vice President Peter York and Director of Evaluation Chantell Johnson in a free webinar which will highlight the value of a shift in the social sector toward an R&D approach to data collection.  TCC Group believes that this method empowers philanthropies and nonprofits to bring new perspectives, data, strategies, and learning to the table. Register now. 

As companies develop effective programs to address social issues in their communities, employee involvement has become an even more critical element of a strong strategic approach. How can a company mobilize employees effectively and also respond to their interests in locations around the country and the globe? TCC Group has developed a series of workshops in conjunction with the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers, including presentations on employee involvement focusing on volunteerism and employee giving, which can be downloaded here for free.

All the presentations from the Maximizing Corporate Community Involvement workshop are available on TCC's website. In addition, TCC staff will be presenting some or all of the workshops in the following locations:

• Memphis - April 5 & 6, Southeastern Council of Foundations
• Fort Lauderdale - May 13, Donors Forum of South Florida
• Minneapolis - June 7, Minnesota Council of Foundations
• Indianapolis - July 12 & 13, Indiana Grantmakers Alliance

If your association or company is interested in hosting a workshop, please contact Tom Knowlton, Partner and Director of Corporate Services.