Credit Suisse Private Banking Introduces "Strategic Philanthropy: Guide to Evaluation" White Paper

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from Credit Suisse and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, entitled, "Strategic Philanthropy: Guide to Evaluation," provides greater context and clarity around evaluation, drawing from a review of best practices, interviews conducted by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and examples from a variety of case studies, to address why philanthropists think about evaluation. The paper also gives an overview of the major trends and practices in evaluation, and provides suggestions on how philanthropists can make evaluation effective for their work.

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"At Credit Suisse, we are committed to providing our clients with timely and interesting topics, including new ways and ideas to help you to achieve your philanthropic goals," said Julia Chu, Head of Philanthropy at Credit Suisse Private Banking USA. "Evaluation remains critical to assess the difference you are making in the world. Like most endeavors of learning, evaluation of your philanthropic impact remains a lifelong process, with valuable perspectives gained and strategy adjustments made along the way."

"Strategic Philanthropy: Guide to Evaluation" posits that to be an effective donor is to embrace evaluation and to do so in a way that respects the needs of your partners — the nonprofits you fund — while getting information that helps you both move forward. This guide offers a comprehensive review of the terminology, approaches and applications of evaluation for the grant making community. The objective is to provide greater context and clarity around evaluation.

"Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is delighted to be able to collaborate with Credit Suisse on this exciting topic. Assessing impact is an important part of our work and is critical in measuring the effectiveness of your philanthropy," said Melissa Berman, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. 

In addition to specific evaluation methodologies, the white paper covers the challenges to assessing a grant program, and using evaluation as a tool for learning. It includes four issue briefs that illustrate how evaluation has been used for different program areas, as well as case studies of how different philanthropists have chosen to incorporate evaluation in their work.

The paper includes a conversation with Dr. Jodi Nelson, Director of Impact Planning & Improvement, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who states that "The most important thing is not evaluation but planning. The truism for most evaluators is that the first several months is often spent trying to figure out what a grant is trying to do in first place. If you don't get super concrete and specific about what change you want then it will be difficult to conduct a formal evaluation. All parties should share a common understanding about the work, which will make it easier to see what happens."

The following critical areas are also explored in the paper:

• Measuring Impact
• Evaluation in Practice: Making it Work for You
• Targeting Your Approach to the Solutions You Are Funding
• Internal and External Evaluations: Who Measures?
• Making Evaluation Helpful to You and Your Grantees: Some Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
• Making Progress Together: Evaluation as Organizational Learning

For a copy of "Strategic Philanthropy: Guide to Evaluation", and an introductory video, please click on the links.

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SOURCE Credit Suisse AG