Level Best offers guidance that demystifies evaluation and takes into account the unique challenges and realities of grassroots nonprofit organizations. It provides a new framework for thinking about evaluation and tools for measuring and sharing results in ways that are practical, efficient, and meaningful. "Level Best proves to be a foolproof fear buster . . . The book does an excellent job of presenting evaluation as a tool for grassroots organizations to use to their benefit…" ( American Journal of Evaluation ) "Nonprofit organizations of all sizes must be able to measure progress toward their goals. As a fundraiser, I know how important this is in making a case for supporting the arts. Level Best not only demystifies the process of evaluation, it offers a reasonable approach that makes sense for programs with limited time, money, or staff to devote to this area." ―Eric Delli Bovi, development director, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, Illinois "We are under pressure every day―not only to perform at the highest level―but to prove that what we are doing nets the greatest possible results. Of all the resources I’ve consulted on evaluation. Level Best is the most practical, the most readable, and the most supportive. The authors understand not only how great our challenges are, but how little time we have for anything that does not address our real needs―which this book does." ―Ruth Barrett Rendler, deputy director, The Center for Victims of Torture, Minneapolis, Minnesota "So many guides to evaluation are theoretical or academic in nature, reflecting little understanding of the operating realities of smaller or more grassroots-oriented nonprofits. The authors of Level Best know this territory intimately, and their guide to evaluation offers solid guidance, clear direction, and practical applications for effective planning and program development." ―Daranee Petsod, executive director, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Sebastopol, California "Every day I see smaller nonprofits struggling to graft onto their work evaluation procedures that in one way or another just aren’t a good match for them. The authors of Level Best have created a guide which avoids jargon and overcomplicated systems by simplifying and clarifying the process for smaller and newer groups. It will be a much-used and much-appreciated tool." ―Susannah Quem Pratt, coordinator of evaluation, Lilly Endowment’s Religion Division Evaluating what you do is the first step toward increasing organizational effectiveness and, later successfully documenting your work and marketing your organization. Level Best offers guidance that demystifies evaluation and takes into account the unique challenges and realities of grassroots nonprofit organizations. It provides a new framework for thinking about evaluation and tools for measuring and sharing results in ways that are practical, efficient, and meaningful. Veteran authors Marcia Festen and Marianne Philbin break down the evaluation process into five stages–planning, asking, tracking, learning, and using–­and show you how to integrate evaluation into your ongoing work. Their approach emphasizes that evaluation at its best is about learning rather than judging and improving rather than proving, and that it is overall an integral part of achieving your mission. The book draws on the authors’ experience with nonprofits, foundations, donors, and boards of directors, and the expertise of evaluation professionals and nonprofit managers. It includes sample forms, checklists, and materials that have been used successfully by real-life organizations, and provides sample meeting agendas that will help you make decisions and move through an evaluation process from start to finish. In easy-to-follow steps, Level Best will help you develop your evaluation plan, gather your data, and use the lessons learned to strengthen your organization and make the best possible case for continued support. Level Best offers guidance that demystifies evaluation and takes into account the unique challenges and realities of grassroots nonprofit organizations. It provides a new framework for thinking about evaluation and tools for measuring and sharing results in ways that are practical, efficient, and meaningful. Veteran authors Marcia Festen and Marianne Philbin break down the evaluation process into five stages―planning, asking, tracking, learning, and using―and show you how to integrate evaluation into your ongoing work. Their approach emphasizes that evaluation at its best is about learning rather than judging and improving rather than proving, and that it is overall an integral part of achieving your mission. The book draws on the authors' experience with nonprofits, foundations, donors, and boards of directors, and the expertise of evaluation professionals and nonprofit managers. It includes sample forms, checklists, and materials that have been used successfully by real-life organizat