Taking an Asset-Based Approach to Evaluation When You Have No Staff and No Budget

For volunteer-led organizations, evaluation and training opportunities can seem like impossible endeavors given budgetary and resource constraints. In this session we will showcase how these low-risk, high-reward environments offer ample opportunity for building evaluative thinking in organizations, developing future evaluation professionals, and strengthening evaluation capacity within the grassroots nonprofit sector.

Through pragmatism and inquiry, volunteer-led organizations can build on the evaluation skills and capabilities of volunteers. In developing data practices through creative use of low- and no-cost tools and resources, organizations can improve decision-making and programming while building a foundation for more rigorous evaluation work in the future. Additionally, working with volunteers offers low entry-cost pathways for people interested in the evaluation field.

This session will address proven practices and resources, potential oversight and support needs, ethics related to volunteer-led evaluation, and implications for other organizations with limited resources for evaluation activities.

This interactive workshop is for organizations interested in evaluation with low/no budget, individuals interested in evaluation opportunities, and professionals interested in evaluation as it relates to programming, development, and communications. No evaluation background necessary.

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages (during the presentation 6-7pm) are included in your ticket!

5:30 p.m. - Check-in, snacks and networking

6:00 p.m. - Presentation & workshop

7:30 p.m. - Open networking at Bar Luchador (located on the first floor of the building)

This event is presented by the Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN) and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of the Twin Cities (YNPN-TC).

About our YNPN-TC partner: YNPN Twin Cities provides and promotes opportunities for the development of young nonprofit professionals. They are made up of young nonprofit professionals who see the value in being intentional about their professional development, and in building a peer support network to help them be more effective change-makers for the good of our communities.

Presenters:

Alyce Eaton - Evaluator at Professional Data Analysis

Sarah Crumrine - Communications Coordinator at Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Cate McKay - Lead Agency Evaluator at Minnesota Department of Human Services

KaYing Vang - Evaluation Studies research assistant and doctoral student at the University of Minnesota

Please note that content shared at this event represents the views of individual presenters, not necessarily that of their employers.

Note: MINN does not offer refunds for event attendance costs. If you pay to attend an event and are no longer able to attend, your payment will be considered a donation to support the great work being done by MINN! Thank you for understanding.

Don't forget to join MINN for our annual Summit on Friday, November 1! Registration here.