accountability & sustainability: two sides of the same coin spring...accountability &...
TRANSCRIPT
Accountability & Sustainability: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Dr. Stephanie McGencey President/CEO
Visio Strategies, LLC March 31, 2014
Have a DIALOGUE about accountability and sustainability
Concerns
Strategies
Lessons learned
Success stories
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Goal for the Session
Philanthropy fundamentally changed after economic downturn
Most use 3-year rolling average (2011-2013)
Remember have to give a minimum of 5% of assets, includes admin costs
Revisiting priorities and strategies
The Foundation Context
Increasing their collaborations
Reducing staff and overall operating expenses
Focusing on sustainable projects and organizations
Funding long-term efforts with demonstrated results and potential for scalability
The Foundation Context, cont’d
More likely to fund SPECIFIC programs and projects
Less likely to provide general or operating support grants
The Foundation Context, cont’d
$4.2 billion to benefit children in ’11 (in the US) 24% of all grants went to children and youth 22% of all grant dollars went to benefit children and
youth Only economically disadvantaged populations
received more grant dollars than children and youth
Grantmaking for children, youth and families
908 Foundations
17,280 Organizations
36,499 Grants
Most think first of the Big Ten: Bill & Melinda Gates, W.K. Kellogg, Annie E. Casey, Robert Wood Johnson, Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur, California Endowment, Wal-Mart, and Denver
Think state funders: Woodruff (GA); Meadows (TX); Winthrop Rockefeller (AR); Daniel’s Fund (CO)
Community Foundations
Multi-State Corporations: Fidelity or Boeing
Philanthropy is Local/State/National
Address root causes
Develop a theory of change and a logic model
Determine your focus
Measure outcomes
Diversify, diversify, diversify
Sustainability Admonitions
Build relationships
Beware of delusions of grandeur
Develop a STRONG case statement/LOI
Identify credible and articulate ambassadors
Be persistent, but patient
Sustainability Admonitions
Sustainability is not just about money….
Information: funders receive thousands of the BEST ideas; mine their perspective and access to improve your programs.
Use convening power to foster collaboration and cooperation.
Access to community leaders; foundation staff and Boards are often leaders in the community.
Leverage their ability to facilitate public-private partnerships (practice and funding).
Resources - Sustainability
Chronicle of Philanthropy www.philanthropy.com
Foundation News & Commentary (COF Pub) www.foundationnews.org
The Foundation Center www.fdncenter.org and their e-newsletter Philanthropy News Digest
Grantstation www.grantstation.com
Grant Siren www.grantwriters.net/grant-siren
Benevon –Sustainable Funding for Nonprofits www.benevon.com
Foundation Search www.foundationsearch.com
Core Components Analysis Defined Core components are the most essential and required elements of an
intervention practice or program.
The core components are directly related to your program’s theory of change and identifies the mechanisms by which your intervention
achieves stated results.
Implementation Fidelity Defined Implementation fidelity refers to the degree to which an
intervention program is delivered as originally designed or intended.
Are you implementing a new model (core components) or adapting a model program (implementation fidelity)?
Types of Program Adaptations
Common Acceptable Program Adaptations
Changing language: translation
Replacing images to reflect target audience
Replacing cultural references
Modifying some aspects of activities
Adding relevant, evidence-based content
Types of Program Adaptations
Common ‘Risky’ Program Adaptations
Reducing the number of length of sessions or amount of time participants are engaged
Eliminating key messages or skills learned
Removing topics
Changing the theoretical approach
Using staff or volunteers who are not adequately trained or qualified
Using fewer staff than recommended
Core Components Analysis Steps
Contextual Aspects of the Intervention Who are we hoping to serve?
What agreements need to be in place?
Structural Elements of the Intervention Required number of sessions
Skills needed by the intervention team
Specific Intervention Practices Skills participants are expected to gain
Behaviors that will be changed
How to Identify Core Components
Program Practice “Trial and error” Focus groups with target population Practitioner created
Behavioral Theory Theory of change
Research Randomized control trial Quasi-experimental design
In ALL of the above-collect data to assess program effectiveness
Implementation Fidelity Elements
Delivery
What instructional strategies are used in your program?
What is the best group size?
Dosage
What is the number, length and frequency of ‘touches’ (lessons, group sessions, counseling/mentoring) for program participants that demonstrates effectiveness?
Implementation Fidelity Elements
Setting What setting(s) is used in your program intervention that
demonstrates effectiveness? Where will the intervention take place?
Materials What program materials do you use in your program that
demonstrates effectiveness?
Target Population What are the demographic, developmental and other related
characteristics of the target population? What skills are participants expected to gain? What behaviors will be changed?
Implementation Fidelity Elements
Provider Characteristics
What are the credentials, skills or other qualifications for persons effectively implementing your program intervention?
Provider Training
How are you preparing providers to effectively implement your program intervention?
Theory of Change / Logic Model
Core Components Analysis and/or
Implementation Fidelity Analysis
Working Relationship with an Evaluator
Marketing Strategy – Don’t be the best kept secret!
Case Statement – Letter of Inquiry
Promotional Materials
‘Show and Tell’ Opportunities
Accountability Tools
Resources - Accountability
Carroll, C., et.al. (2007) “A conceptual framework for implementation fidelity.” Implementation Science 2:40.
ASPE Research Brief (2013) Core Intervention Components: Identifying and Operationalizing What Makes Programs Work
CDC’s Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions website ED’s What Works Clearinghouse National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) Evidence and Innovation Website a project of the Interagency
Working Group on Youth Programs (composed of representatives from 18 federal agencies) Harvard Family Research Project National Center for Children in Poverty
Thank You for Your Participation!
Stephanie McGencey
Visio Strategies, LLC
P: 301-458-0320