Comprehensive Evaluation Training


Comprehensive evaluation training is a two-year process. Using a classroom setting during the first year, OMG provides 10 monthly four-hour training sessions to a cohort of nonprofits. Evaluation concepts, evaluative thinking, methods and practical applications, and evaluation project design are covered. During the second year, teams implement their evaluation design while participating in 10 more follow-up sessions with on-site technical assistance. Trainees learn how to extend their evaluation training to everyday work tasks and to share their evaluation skills with their colleagues.

A recent example of comprehensive evaluation training can be found below.



Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (Foundation) contracted with Anita Baker, now an OMG Project Director, to provide a two-year comprehensive evaluation training seminar to 12 organizations in the Hartford area. This training was offered by the Foundation through the Foundation's Nonprofit Support Program, which strengthens the capacity of small to mid-size nonprofits in the Hartford region.

In the first year, participants from each organization attended monthly classroom sessions to learn about evaluation from the planning stages through data analysis and use. The sessions emphasized hands-on assignments and project-based learning. Individual consultations were provided between the monthly sessions. At the first year's conclusion, each participating organization had developed a rigorous evaluation design for their own program that was implemented during the second year of training. The second year entailed ongoing individual consultation with the trainer and bimonthly group sessions. At the conclusion of the second year, each organization presented their evaluation project and results in a science-fair-type setting to the other trainees, Foundation staff, and other stakeholders.