Eval Cafe: A Discussion with Chari Smith on Fostering Evaluation Organizational Cultures

Abstract: Program evaluation plays an important role in assisting non-profits to determine what difference their organizations make. However, integrating evaluation into an organization’s daily operations and for multiple purposes can be a tricky endeavor. There are often competing demands for evaluative information that often lead to chasing data for funder requests instead of also using data for learning purposes. How can evaluators and organizations establish evaluation cultures that go beyond compliance and accountability to promote learning and continual improvement? This question and others about what works in establishing healthy evaluation cultures will be addressed in this informal Eval Café discussion with Chari Smith.

Presenter: Chari Smith, President and Founder of Evaluation Into Action