1. When Government Funding is Not Enough
Utilizing Internal Evaluation for Non-Profit Program Development and Additional Funding
Suzanne Markoe Hayes

2. Non-Profits current predicament
Federal Budget Cuts: White House Budget Chief Jacob Lew Orders Agencies To Reduce Spending Plans
Federal budget cuts to WIC could shorten reach of aid for moms, kids
Federal Budget Cuts Research, Education Funding

3. Increased program demands
Bigger and better programs wanted
Less funds to meet greater needs
Effective and evidence-based programs

4. Internal evaluation is critical for:
Studying formative program development
Insider View
Promoting action based on evaluation findings
Follow up on planned action

5. Who is VOALA? Serve 30,000 individual 27 different programs
See
VOALA Philosophy- There is always room for improvement.

6. VOALA evaluation timeline
External Evaluator team- AES
2008
Hired Internal Evaluator
May 2010
Additional Support Staff (1.5)
Summer 2011

7. Our approach Use-focused evaluation (Patton, 1997)
Program staff stakeholders
Original programs
Upward Bound
Evaluation

8. VOALA Upward Bound Alumni
5 sites
South Central, East Los Angeles, South Bay, San Fernando Valley
Expect students to enroll in 4-yr institution
UB class of %
Class of 2003 & on

9. Why are alumni struggling?
Online Survey
March 2011
56 alumni participated, 73% Response Rate
Focus Groups
April to May 2011
15 alumni participated

10. What alumni said:
“Since we are incoming Freshman, we are the last ones to get to pick our classes. So we get the worst times ever.”
“I have to leave school next year to work and help my family.” (student joined the army)
“I come home twice a month to help my mom.”
“I don’t have much time. When I’m not at school, I am helping with my little sister.”

11. Addressing an identified need
Families
Losing jobs
Childcare
Support as a student
Better time management
Approaching professors
Directors unable to provide that level of support

12. Alumni Coordinator Funded through donations
Fall 2011
Connect families to other services
Monthly check-ins with alumni
Facebook page with helpful tips and social connections
Connect with current seniors

13. Limitations Only surveyed and spoke to students still in college.
Drop out student information was anecdotal from directors.
Difficult reaching students for focus groups.

14. Future Directions Review results with program staff
Do families receive and use service referrals?
Do more students graduate and less students withdrawal?
Use successful results to procure additional funding to support position