From Program Design to Evaluation Plan: A Practical Workshop for Nonprofit Leaders

Most nonprofits can describe what their programs do, but few know how to turn that program description into an evaluation plan that actually works. This hands-on workshop bridges that gap, walking nonprofit leaders through a step-by-step process that starts with writing strong objectives and ends with a complete evaluation plan ready for funders.

In the first half, participants will learn how to draft SMART objectives that are directly linked to their program design, moving beyond vague goal statements to measurable, time-bound outcomes that funders expect. In the second half, participants will use the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation framework to develop evaluation questions aligned with those objectives, identify appropriate data sources and collection methods, and select analysis approaches that fit their program design.

The session is designed to be practical and interactive, with guided exercises, group discussion, and ready-to-use templates throughout.

Participants will learn how to:

1. Draft SMART objectives linked to specific elements of their program design
2. Use the CIPP framework to develop evaluation questions aligned with each stage of a program
3. Map evaluation questions to appropriate data sources, collection methods, and analysis approaches
4. Build an evaluation planning matrix that they can apply to current or upcoming programs

Participants will leave with a program design worksheet, a SMART objectives template, an evaluation planning matrix, sample evaluation questions for each CIPP stage, and a curated resource list.