Accountability & Sustainability: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Dr. Stephanie McGencey President/CEO

Visio Strategies, LLC March 31, 2014

Have a DIALOGUE about accountability and sustainability

Concerns

Strategies

Lessons learned

Success stories

Get the card of one colleague you can call later to discuss the content of this session!

Goal for the Session

Sustainability

Philanthropy fundamentally changed after economic downturn

Most use 3-year rolling average (2011-2013)

Remember have to give a minimum of 5% of assets, includes admin costs

Revisiting priorities and strategies

The Foundation Context

Increasing their collaborations

Reducing staff and overall operating expenses

Focusing on sustainable projects and organizations

Funding long-term efforts with demonstrated results and potential for scalability

The Foundation Context, cont’d

More likely to fund SPECIFIC programs and projects

Less likely to provide general or operating support grants

The Foundation Context, cont’d

What Have You Learned About Working with Philanthropy?

$4.2 billion to benefit children in ’11 (in the US) 24% of all grants went to children and youth 22% of all grant dollars went to benefit children and

youth Only economically disadvantaged populations

received more grant dollars than children and youth

Grantmaking for children, youth and families

908 Foundations

17,280 Organizations

36,499 Grants

Most think first of the Big Ten: Bill & Melinda Gates, W.K. Kellogg, Annie E. Casey, Robert Wood Johnson, Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur, California Endowment, Wal-Mart, and Denver

Think state funders: Woodruff (GA); Meadows (TX); Winthrop Rockefeller (AR); Daniel’s Fund (CO)

Community Foundations

Multi-State Corporations: Fidelity or Boeing

Philanthropy is Local/State/National

Address root causes

Develop a theory of change and a logic model

Determine your focus

Measure outcomes

Diversify, diversify, diversify

Sustainability Admonitions

Build relationships

Beware of delusions of grandeur

Develop a STRONG case statement/LOI

Identify credible and articulate ambassadors

Be persistent, but patient

Sustainability Admonitions

Sustainability is not just about money….

Information: funders receive thousands of the BEST ideas; mine their perspective and access to improve your programs.

Use convening power to foster collaboration and cooperation.

Access to community leaders; foundation staff and Boards are often leaders in the community.

Leverage their ability to facilitate public-private partnerships (practice and funding).

Resources - Sustainability

Chronicle of Philanthropy www.philanthropy.com

Foundation News & Commentary (COF Pub) www.foundationnews.org

The Foundation Center www.fdncenter.org and their e-newsletter Philanthropy News Digest

Grantstation www.grantstation.com

Grant Siren www.grantwriters.net/grant-siren

Benevon –Sustainable Funding for Nonprofits www.benevon.com

Foundation Search www.foundationsearch.com

Do You Have Any Resources to Share?

Accountability

Core Components Analysis Defined Core components are the most essential and required elements of an

intervention practice or program.

The core components are directly related to your program’s theory of change and identifies the mechanisms by which your intervention

achieves stated results.

Implementation Fidelity Defined Implementation fidelity refers to the degree to which an

intervention program is delivered as originally designed or intended.

Core Components Analysis INGREDIENTS

vs.

Implementation Fidelity

RECIPE

Are you implementing a new model (core components) or adapting a model program (implementation fidelity)?

Types of Program Adaptations

Common Acceptable Program Adaptations

Changing language: translation

Replacing images to reflect target audience

Replacing cultural references

Modifying some aspects of activities

Adding relevant, evidence-based content

Types of Program Adaptations

Common ‘Risky’ Program Adaptations

Reducing the number of length of sessions or amount of time participants are engaged

Eliminating key messages or skills learned

Removing topics

Changing the theoretical approach

Using staff or volunteers who are not adequately trained or qualified

Using fewer staff than recommended

Core Components Analysis Steps

Contextual Aspects of the Intervention Who are we hoping to serve?

What agreements need to be in place?

Structural Elements of the Intervention Required number of sessions

Skills needed by the intervention team

Specific Intervention Practices Skills participants are expected to gain

Behaviors that will be changed

How to Identify Core Components

Program Practice “Trial and error” Focus groups with target population Practitioner created

Behavioral Theory Theory of change

Research Randomized control trial Quasi-experimental design

In ALL of the above-collect data to assess program effectiveness

Implementation Fidelity Elements

Delivery

What instructional strategies are used in your program?

What is the best group size?

Dosage

What is the number, length and frequency of ‘touches’ (lessons, group sessions, counseling/mentoring) for program participants that demonstrates effectiveness?

Implementation Fidelity Elements

Setting What setting(s) is used in your program intervention that

demonstrates effectiveness? Where will the intervention take place?

Materials What program materials do you use in your program that

demonstrates effectiveness?

Target Population What are the demographic, developmental and other related

characteristics of the target population? What skills are participants expected to gain? What behaviors will be changed?

Implementation Fidelity Elements

Provider Characteristics

What are the credentials, skills or other qualifications for persons effectively implementing your program intervention?

Provider Training

How are you preparing providers to effectively implement your program intervention?

Theory of Change / Logic Model

Core Components Analysis and/or

Implementation Fidelity Analysis

Working Relationship with an Evaluator

Marketing Strategy – Don’t be the best kept secret!

Case Statement – Letter of Inquiry

Promotional Materials

‘Show and Tell’ Opportunities

Accountability Tools

What Are Some Lessons You Have Learned Re: Demonstrating Results?

Resources - Accountability

Carroll, C., et.al. (2007) “A conceptual framework for implementation fidelity.” Implementation Science 2:40.

ASPE Research Brief (2013) Core Intervention Components: Identifying and Operationalizing What Makes Programs Work

CDC’s Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions website ED’s What Works Clearinghouse National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) Evidence and Innovation Website a project of the Interagency

Working Group on Youth Programs (composed of representatives from 18 federal agencies) Harvard Family Research Project National Center for Children in Poverty

Anything Else to Share?

Thank You for Your Participation!

Stephanie McGencey

Visio Strategies, LLC

P: 301-458-0320

E: smcgencey@visiostrategies.com