In episode 134 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton welcomes guest Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, for a conversation about reimagining program evaluation in nonprofits.
They discuss:
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Why evaluation is not an audit or judgment as it has sometimes been in the past
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It should be a collaborative, curiosity-driven process that opens communication, supports learning, and improves impact.
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How to create right-sized, useful evaluation practices rooted in strategy and driven by purpose.
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How evaluation can be a force for good—helping organizations tell fuller, more meaningful stories about their work and the communities they serve.
Episode highlights:
🚩 Evaluation's Troubled History - [00:08:10] ❌ From Punitive to Collaborative - [00:13:10] 💡 Why Smaller Orgs Should Evaluate - [00:16:10] 🛠️ Start with Strategy - [00:19:10] 🔁 Formalizing Feedback Loops - [00:20:40] 🍽️ Make It Make Sense - [00:22:10] 🗣️ Turning Data Into Stories - [00:26:10] ❓The One Question Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask - [00:31:50]
Guest Bio:
Kayla (Mueller) Meyers is a seasoned program evaluator with over a decade of experience in assessing and improving programs for nonprofits and public organizations. She specializes in evaluation capacity building and mixed-methods program evaluation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients
Important Links and Resources:
Kayla Meyers
Bridgepoint Evaluation
Bridgepoint Evaluation Newsletter
Humphrey School of Public Affairs
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