Intention and Evaluation at a Small Family Foundation

Don’t miss MCF’s spring issue of Giving Forum, online now and in your mailbox soon, for a close look at how the Sauer Children’s Renew Foundation, a small Minnesota-based family foundation, is using focus and evaluation throughout its grant process to make a real difference in the community.

Here is a brief summary:

1. Discuss indicators of success , ensuring they remain relevant, measurable and within the foundation’s control.
2. Check each letter of inquiry for fit against the foundation’s mission, priorities and indicators of success.
3. If it looks like a fit, request a proposal with specifics on the program and the organization’s financial health and capacity.
4.  If that checks out, visit the potential grantee.
5. When a grant ends, receive a final report from each grantee.
6. Track outcomes and lessons learned.

For much more detail, see Giving Forum and ”Continual Learning Through Intention and Evaluation,” by Colleen O’Keefe, executive director, Sauer Children’s Renew Foundation.

- Susan Stehling, MCF communications associate