Add this item to my Toolkit!

Tips for Discussing Goals with Grantees

~ Encourage grantees to group their goals under advocacy
progress and capacity-building.

~ Use the SMART test for each of the grant's goals -- it
really works!

~ Value your grantees' expertise when it comes to
defining the advocacy goals.

~ Focus on the incremental steps when helping grantees
develop policy benchmarks.

~ Too many indicators can be unwieldy. Help grantees
determine which indicators will be most helpful in
directing the future course of their advocacy efforts.

~ Remember: you want goals, benchmarks and indicators
that are realistic and meaningful.

~ Help grantees go beyond 'the easy measures.' While
counting the number of e-mail recipients, Web site
visits, and petition signatures is very informative,
these indicators may not be as useful as looking at some
qualitative measures. What was done with the e-mails
received? When people landed on the Web site, what did
they use the site for? What happened after the petition
was received by the president's office?

~ Encourage grantees to claim results for capacity
building and advocacy benchmarks. While capacity
building might not have an immediate effect on policy
outcomes, it is essential for strengthening the field
and achieving your long-term goals.

~ Benchmarks are easy to develop if the grantee has a
clearly defined and detailed theory of change.
Benchmarks should match to the assumed outcomes in the
theory of change. If there is a disconnect, it should be
revisited.

[close window]