Success Stories
Creating an Outcomes-Based Approach
to Grantmaking:
The Covenant Foundation
Challenge: In 2008, the Covenant Foundation sought a robust, responsible evaluation system for its Signature and Ignition grant portfolios, totaling over one million dollars annually, in the area of Jewish education.
Approach: Rosov Consulting’s deep knowledge of the work of both foundations and grantees enabled quick development of evaluation systems, without requiring complex explanation on the part of the foundation. Rosov Consulting guided foundation staff through a process of identifying existing evaluation tools as well as additional ones needed, and prioritizing their implementation.
Results: The foundation now has a well designed system of evaluation in place for all grantees which includes:
- An articulated approach to evaluation, written policies and procedures
- A handbook for grantees which provides an overview of the evaluation process, introduces the Foundation’s learning goals and clarifies grantees’ roles and responsibilities with regard to evaluation of funded projects
- An approved list of independent evaluation professionals for both grantees and the foundation to work with
Harlene Winnick Appelman, Covenant Foundation Executive Director, says that “frequency, constancy and intensity of evaluation” are now the hallmarks of the new system created by Rosov Consulting.
How the Covenant Foundation describes Rosov Consulting:
“Smart and clear thinking.”
“Her advice is extraordinarily important to us: she’s so up to date on the field and will bring things to us we hadn’t even considered.”
“Has a grasp of the way evaluation can serve, rather than dominate the work.”
“There is a deep and insightful way that we now handle our grantmaking [after working with Rosov Consulting].”
Covenant Today: Since implementing the new evaluation system, Rosov Consulting has become a trusted advisor of the Covenant Foundation participating in regular strategy meetings on new initiatives and directions.