In many philanthropic institutions throughout the world, the field of research and evaluation is changing. The traditional method of measuring the impact of grants after they have ended is giving way to other approaches that enable the foundation leadership and grantees to gain insights, draw conclusions, update, plan, and improve—all during the grant period itself.
AVI CHAI Israel provides tools for the methodical collection of data on participants and activities; for defining objectives, measures, and desired outcomes; and for ongoing oversight, measurement, and evaluation. The question that guides us is: “What can and should we learn in order to identify effective solutions that will promote the mission of our foundation and the goals of the organizations it supports?”
Most of our evaluation projects are ongoing and accompany the organizations and projects over time and according to need. The ideal evaluation trajectory is one that begins in the early stages of the grant and peaks after the evaluation results are presented and discussed, and the conclusions are integrated into the program. At times, the process does not end but continues to be updated according to the project’s needs. To guarantee evaluation-based learning, the foundation-appointed evaluator must work closely with the foundation program officer and with leaders in the field.
In the past decade, AVI CHAI has devoted considerable resources to establishing high standards for evaluation both within the foundation and among our circle of grantees. We hope to encourage and promote these standards within the broader world of Israeli Jewish Renewal in the coming years, out of the conviction that a vibrant field of Jewish study and experience should be supported by a commitment to ongoing research and evaluation.
For more information:
Address: Research and Evaluation,
AVI CHAI Israel, 44 King George Street, Jerusalem 9426216
Telephone: 02 621-5330
Fax: 02 621-5331
Email: office@avichai.org.il
Web: http://www.avichai.org.il/en/
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