Change Makers

This project commenced with the establishment of a partnership with the Collaborative Institute for Research Consulting and Learning in Evaluation (CIRCLE) at RMIT University, the commitment of funds to the initial research phase and the holding of a small workshop with key stakeholders on in November 2006. Supported by the Donkey Wheel Fund, it is a collaboration between Associate Professor Patricia Rogers, Director of CIRCLE, Leslie Falkiner-Rose (initially as part of her Master of Social Science in Philanthropy and Social Investment at Swinburne University), Trudy Wyse from Melbourne Community Foundation and Changemakers Australia.

The goal is to develop a way to measure and document the social change outcomes of projects supported by philanthropic dollars. The method will need to be easy to understand, adaptable and designed to suit Australian conditions. So the goal is to develop a toolkit comprising a range of practical mechanisms for evaluating social change outcomes of projects supported by philanthropic dollars.

After researching and analysing overseas approaches and methods, and in consultation with individuals and organisations in the philanthropic and community sectors, an “evaluation model” will be developed in the form of a toolkit. This will provide a framework to help those involved in social change projects to:

• Ask the right questions and have a clear understanding of their theory of change

• Build evaluation tools into the design of projects

• Work out where particular projects fit in the big picture of social change

• Identify internal and external factors that may influence a project

• Better research and understand the work already being done in a given area

• Consider how projects may link with one another to achieve a common goal

• Identify areas that may require greater action

• Consider what components may need to be built into a project to improve its chances of success

• Understand and identify relevant indicators of progress

• Chart the progress of a project

• Identify levels of success, what success at different stages might look like

• Improve the likelihood of successful replication of projects by helping those involved to identify the factors that contribute to a project’s success and see if those conditions exist elsewhere or if a project would need modifications to work in other environments.

The toolkit will be designed to give grantmakers and grantees a framework within which

to measure the social impact of their projects and their philanthropic partnerships. We believe that grantmakers are much more likely to support long-term social change projects if they can see how the project fits into the big picture, are inspired by successes and understand there is a credible way to assess the impact of a project over time. It will also assist the grantmakers and grantees to see how the partnership can develop in the longer term to achieve the change that is sought. Ultimately, we hope the project will attract more dollars to social change philanthropy.

Ultimately, Changemakers Australia will produce the final Evaluation Model in both a printed form and as a downloadable version online. The material may also lend itself to being part of an interactive website, something that will be explored as the project proceeds.