Program Details
The NPI Evaluation Framework
NPI’s Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Program Evaluation uses a culturally-responsive and equitable evaluation framework. What does that mean? A culturally-responsive or equitable evaluation looks like ...
- Accounting for and respecting culture and context throughout the evaluation process
- Including stakeholder voice (service user, funder, etc.) in the evaluation as much as possible
- Striving to ensure the evaluation approach reveals structural and systems-level drivers of inequity that impact programs
- Disseminating results of the evaluation widely
- Using findings of the evaluation to build the capacity of community and community organizations
*Please note that while this program is taught from an equitable evaluation perspective, it is not a training on organizational equity, diversity and inclusion. If your organization is seeking consultation or assistance to advance equity planning or training, we recommend starting with The Nonprofit Association of Oregon’s Service Provider Directory.
What's included in the Program
- Virtual (zoom) workshops between January 2024 and May 2024
- Personalized 1:1 consultation on your evaluation project, including personalized coaching sessions
- Guides and materials
- Graduates will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Program Evaluation*
2024 Session Dates
Each session will be held online from 9:00-3:00 p.m. (PST):
January 20, 2024
January 27, 2024
February 10, 2024
February 24, 2024
March 9, 2024
April 6, 2024
May 4, 2024
May 18, 2024
Join our interest list to remain informed!
Program Completion Requirements
To earn a certificate at the end of this program, you should be prepared to:
- Complete assignments and readings (ranging from 8-24 hours per month outside the classroom)
- Engage stakeholders as much as is feasible through the evaluation process
- Develop data collection instruments, such as questionnaires and interview guides
- Collect and analyze your data and compile findings and recommendations
- Submit a final report and present an overview of your evaluation project at our final session
By the end of the program, you will be able to:
- Explain the function and purpose of culturally-responsive and ethical program evaluation
- Identify stakeholders and solicit and integrate stakeholder input
- Design and prepare an evaluation plan
- Develop appropriate data collection instruments
- Collect and analyze basic quantitative and qualitative data
- Interpret and report findings and conclusions, and make recommendations for the program
2024 Program Cost and Financial Assistance
The certificate program costs $2200 per individual if an application is submitted by December 15th, and $2400 for those who apply after. Each additional member per organization will be granted a discounted rate of $800.
What We Look For
First, we welcome students with a wide range of existing skills and prior experience working with data and information (including none!). What we don’t consider in your application:
- your education level
- your job title
- whether you are “good with numbers”
The program is right for you if:
- you are able to invest an 8-24 hours per month outside of class to complete the class assignments that collectively make up your evaluation project and report (note: not having adequate time for the evaluation outside of class is one of the biggest factors we see students struggle with)
- you are comfortable receiving and using constructive feedback on your project, whether it comes from stakeholders in your organization, from your fellow students, or from program staff
- you are meaningfully involved with a public organization in which you will do an evaluation (if you are a consultant who wants to complete this program with a client, or an employee of a government agency, please contact us before applying)
The program is right for your organization if:
- your organization is a public sector organization
- your organization’s leadership is familiar with this program, and will support you in your work by being available for project discussions, providing access to organizational data and records, and, if the organization is your employer, ensuring you have the time to complete the work successfully
If you’re not sure whether this describes you or your organization, or have questions before applying, feel free to contact us.
Application Process
Submit Application
The 2024 application is now available. Click here to access it. Applications are due December 15th for priority consideration.
Once the application process is open, you can expect to complete the following steps:
- Review the application instructions.
- Prepare your application materials.
- Submit your application.
- Register upon application approval.
Application Instructions
Please prepare these two documents:
- A Statement of Interest (one page) describing, in your own words, why you would like to participate in the program. Please include the following:
- a description of your professional background and any prior experience with program evaluation (prior experience is not required);
- a description of your organization’s current evaluation activities (if any);
- a description of what questions you are interested in answering through your evaluation efforts;
- confirm in writing that you are able to attend in person or remote class sessions and complete 8-24 hours per month of additional independent work outside the classroom.
- A Letter of Commitment (one page) signed by your organization’s Executive Director, other member of the senior leadership team, or member of the Board of Directors. This letter should:
- detail why organizational leadership believes this is a good time for the organization to participate in this program
- confirm that your organization’s leadership is familiar with the goals, objectives and time commitment of the certificate program
- indicate that your organization’s leadership is prepared to meet with you as needed to identify and refine the goals of your evaluation project
- If you will be accessing organizational records or interacting with program participants, this letter should indicate that you will be supported in these efforts.
Registration
Registration details will be emailed to you if you are accepted in the program.