Environmental Education Grants


Logic Models - A Tool for Evaluation


by Chuck Lennox


Program evaluation is a valuable process to determine the efficacy of programming


being offered to the public by an organization or agency. Sometimes the process can feel intimidating. How do I know we made a


difference? How do I get started? Logic models help us develop an evaluation process in an


organization or agency. They are also a useful tool to organize information in a succinct but comprehensive manner for grant applications and funding proposals. Using logic model


formats encourage us to ask difficult questions that focus our goals and prioritize our efforts.


Introduction Program evaluation can be challenging for front-line staff and


their managers. Can someone who develops and presents a pro- gram effectively evaluate it themselves? What is the impact of a program on the public and target audience? How does a manager know if a program contributes to an agency’s or organization’s goals in a cost effective manner? First and foremost in many pro- fessionals’ minds, how do I get started in this process? Logic models are an excellent tool to gather information


needed in an evaluation. Foundations, government agencies (i.e. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s B-WET grants and Environmental Protection Agency’s EE grants) and other funders are beginning to even require grant applicants to submit logic models as part of the application process. Logic models help us gather information, organize it and answer critical questions about our goals and priorities.


Getting Started with Logic Models The first step is to identify your organization or agency’s


mission statement, goals and objectives. Many employees may not even know this information. The evaluation process should be linked back to this information. Next, determine your work group’s goals and objectives.


Do you have an annual work plan? An annual plan determines what management expects of you in the course of a year. Is your personal work plan linked to the organization or agency plan? Good evaluation should always link back to the mission and work plans developed for the organization or agency. If your work is


CLEARING 2010 not relevant to the mission, why is it being done?


Components of a Logic Model The second step is to identify and clarify the different ele-


ments of the program you want to assess. Use Figure #1 below and the description provided to fill in the logic model. Informa- tion is generally inserted into the logic model to read left to right.


Inputs Outputs Activities Outcomes Participants Short Medium Long


Figure 1 Inputs are all of the resources you need to carry out your


activities and accomplish yourOutcomes such as staff members (from the registrar to the maintenance worker – list the number of projected hours or FTEs – Full-time Equivalents), funding (grants, budgets, in-kind donations), volunteers, partners, supplies and materials, handouts, etc. Inputs should be quantified in as much detail as known.


Outputs are divided into two categories – Activities and Partic-


ipants. Activities are what you do with the Inputs or resources you have to achieve your Outcomes. Examples include outreach events, classroom visits, public programs, festivals, forums or speaking engagements. Quantify (actual or anticipated) the Activities to show information such as frequency, duration and participation.


Participants are those individuals or groups that are your


target audience. Keep in mind the breadth and depth of an audi- ence. For example, school groups generally are accompanied by a teacher (or teachers) and adult/parent chaperones. In this case, all three are participants. Volunteers supporting the program might also be considered participants if your goal is to increase their knowledge or support of your operation.


Outcomes are the changes or benefits you are want to see


that effect individuals or groups during or after participating in Activities. Examples might include less litter, reduced vandal- ism, increased numbers of volunteers, greater understanding of a watershed or reduction in feeding wildlife. Outcomes are NOT number of participants, viewers or their satisfaction levels. Generally, short-term outcomes occur within a time frame that allows you to measure them such as the length of a grant-funded program. Medium-term outcomes might extend out beyond your


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