Grant Writing: Measuring the Success of a Program

All over the globe, there exists numerous programs and interventions created to improve certain areas within the community. Communities working together to eliminate violence, or help improve school attendance are a few examples of such initiatives. But how do we measure the success of such programs? Take for instance “safe arrival,” a hypothetical program that aims at stopping drunk driving, through intervention and mass sensitization. The success of this program can be measured by:

• Assessing the number of single-car crashes that occur at night. This presents an effective way of establishing whether there is a significant change in the number of people engaging in drunk-driving.
• Taking surveys to determine the number of people within the community who are familiar with the program and its objectives
• Examining the number of people who use the volunteer taxis availed by the program to get home

Evaluating the success of a program is an important component of grant writing. Measuring allows one to demonstrate the impact of their program. In other words, it helps showcase the success or progress of the program. The data gathered allows one to better communicate the impact their program has/will have on the community/others, which is essential when attracting and retaining the support of new and existing donors. Besides, an evaluation plan holds the make or break power to win a grant. This part reassures the donors that the program will have a substantial impact, and subsequently adds to the author’s credibility and also demonstrates their leadership abilities (Harris, 2015). Moreover, having such a plan assures the donors that one can achieve the objectives set in the proposal.

References

Harris, M. (2015, April 20). Evaluation: Measuring Success. Retrieved from Grant Training Center: https://granttrainingcenter.com/blog/evaluation-measuring-success/

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