Effective Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Human Service Professionals

Based on the authors' many years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, Effective Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Human Service Professionals integrates the topics of grant proposal writing and program evaluation, offering grant seekers the practical guidance they need to develop quality proposals, obtain funding, and demonstrate service results and accountability.

The authors clearly and succinctly illustrate and describe each stage of the grant writing and evaluation process. Problems or issues that arise frequently are highlighted and followed by specific advice. In addition, numerous real-world examples and exercises are included throughout the book to give readers the opportunity for reflection and practice.

This timely reference incorporates a strengths perspective, providing:

• An inside look at the grant writing and evaluation processes, with insights from experienced grant writers, agency administrators, foundation program managers, and grant reviewers

• Specific examples of successful grant proposals and evaluation plans and instruments serving as models for learning and practice

• Field-tested individual and group exercises that facilitate the development of grant writing and evaluation skills

• Discussion of electronic technology in grant writing and evaluation, including writing and submitting grant proposals online, and identifying funding sources

This grant writing and program evaluation guide follows a needs-driven, evidence-based, result-oriented, and client-centered perspective. Its authoritative discussion equips human service professionals to effectively develop grants with a strong emphasis on measuring program outcomes.

Acknowledgments xi

About the Authors xiii

About the Contributors xv

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Purpose of This Book 1

The Organization and Approaches Used for This Book 2

Grant Writing and Program Evaluation: Outcomes and Evidence 4

Grant Proposal and Performance Measures 4

Evidence-Based Practice 5

Defining Program and Program Planning 6

What Is a Program? 6

What Is Program Planning? 7

The Ethics and Secret Handshake of Grant Writing and Program Evaluation 7

Chapter 2 Community and Target Population, Service Providers, and Funding Sources 11

The Good Idea Program 12

What Is a Community? 13

Macro Practice, Grant Writing, and Program Evaluations 14

Target Populations and Needs 15

Service Providers 17

Professional Insight 2.1: Agency Administrator to Get Support for Service Projects 19

Funding Sources 21

Government 22

Professional Insight 2.2: Important Suggestions Related to State or Federal Grant Funds 24

Foundations 27

Professional Insight 2.3: Ten Tips on Successful Grant Seeking 28

Chapter 3 Basic Research Methods and Program Evaluation 31

Program Evaluation: A Practice of Social Research 32

Research Question 33

Developing a Research Question 33

Ethical Considerations 34

Research Designs 38

Qualitative and Quantitative Research 38

Inductive and Deductive Learning 39

Four Major Types of Research Designs 40

Exploratory Designs 40

Descriptive Designs 41

Experimental Designs 43

Evaluative Research Design 46

A Mixed Approach 47

Validity and Reliability 47

Professional Insight 3.1: What Is “Self-Determination” All About? 48

Validity 49

Internal and External Validity 51

Reliability 52

The Relationship between Validity and Reliability 53

Causation and Correlation 53

Correlation and Association 55

Sampling 56

Probability Sampling (Random Sampling) 57

Nonprobability Sampling (Nonrandom Sampling) 59

Sample Size: How Many Is Needed? 60

Data Collection and Instruments 61

Data Analysis 63

Four Levels of Measurement 63

Dependent and Independent Variables 67

Statistics 68

Chapter 4 Program Planning and Evaluation 73

Needs Assessment 74

Define Needs Assessment 75

Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation 75

Purpose of the Needs Assessment 76

Key Steps in Designing a Needs Assessment 77

Program Planning Formula 83

Why, Who/Whom, What, Where, When 83

How and How Much 85

Evaluation 85

Logic Model as a Tool for Planning and Evaluation and Theory of Change 86

Theory of Change 86

Logic Model 87

Chapter 5 Grant Proposal Writing: Beginning with the End in Mind 99

Grant and Contract 100

Request for Proposal, Request for Application, and Program Announcement 101

Letter of Intent/Letter of Inquiry 105

Getting Ready, Logic Model, and Program Planning and Evaluation Worksheet 105

Key Components of a Grant Proposal 107

Abstract: Write Last, Read First, Most Frequently Used 109

Table of Contents: A Roadmap for Your Proposal 110

Specific Aims: A Summary of Purpose and Results 111

Target Population: To Whom It May Concern 117

Approaches and Methods: What, Why, When, Where, Who, and How 118

Agency Capacities and Project Management: The Service Providers and Program Management 124

Budget and Budget Justifications: Program Plan in Dollars and Cents 128

Evaluation Plan: Tell the Stories—Successes and Challenges 134

Proposal Reviews 134

Professional Insight 5.1: A Reviewer’s Perspective on Preparing Proposals 136

Chapter 6 Program Evaluation 139

The Level of Rigor 140

Outcome-Focused Evaluation 142

Empowerment Evaluation 142

Outcome-Focused Empowerment Evaluation 143

Indicators 143

Data Source 144

Instrument Type and Method of Evaluation 145

Bringing Together the Indicator, Data Source, and Instrument Type 148

Evaluation Section of a Proposal 148

Evaluation Questions 149

Methodology 149

Targets for Success 150

Evaluation Worksheet and Evaluation Plan 150

Beyond the Grant Proposal 152

Select/Develop Instruments 153

Professional Insight 6.1: Tips for Anticipating Criticism and Planning Accordingly 160

Getting Prepared for Data Collection 162

Planning for Data Analysis 164

Reporting Evaluation Results 165

Turning Your Data into an Evaluation Report 165

Chapter 7 Learning by Doing: Exercises, Templates, Samples, Checklists, and Training Ideas 169

Samples and Self-Help Materials 170

Section I: Needs Assessment 171

Section II: Results Terminology and Logic Model 183

Section III: Grant Application 188

Section IV: Program Planning and Evaluation 191

Section V: Instrument Development 195

Section VI: Evaluation Plan 208

Section VII: Interactive Group Activities 211

Professional Insight 7.1: Program Improvement 215

Chapter 8 Real-Life Samples 219

Grant Proposals 219

A Coordinated Approach to Youth: Prevention and Intervention Services in Sun Town 220

Mandarin Chinese Class in Your School’s Proposals 229

Evaluation Plans 232

Evaluation Plan Sample 232

Domestic Violence Prevention Program: Together with Services (TWS) 237

Chapter 9 Application of Information Technology 247

Information Technology 247

Funding Sources 247

Grant Applications: Going Green 249

Referencing Information Technology Sources 251

Evaluation Methods and Technology 252

Electronic Surveys 252

Database Software 253

Finding the Information Technology 254

Author Index 257

Subject Index 259

Kenneth L. Terao, MA, is a senior evaluation specialist with JBS International, Inc., Aguirre Division, a social science research firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been a director and evaluator for many major grant-funded projects in community and educational settings.

Anna Marie Schmidt, MA, is an evaluation specialist with JBS International, Inc., Aguirre Division, a social science research firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Previously, she managed national and international nonprofit projects.