Knowledge Advisory Group

Celebrate every success!

Acknowledge and celebrate both big and small achievements to reinforce the importance of evaluation and how it contributes to positive organizational growth. Success breeds more success!

Evaluation is not a one-time event.

Maintain ongoing evaluation conversations within your organization. Evaluation should be a continuous, systematic effort. Incorporate discussions about data and evaluation into regular staff meetings and check-ins to keep it on the radar.

Clarify the outcomes you want to achieve.

Become clear on the story you want to tell and identify data needs that may support it. Engage with staff to uncover client success stories and identify key indicators demonstrating positive change. Let your data speak volumes!

Plan for evaluation with your key audiences in mind.

Identify your key audiences, such as board members, funders, donors, staff, and community partners. Effective evaluation answers their critical questions and delivers the information they need.

Shift your perspective on program evaluation.

Program evaluation is sometimes perceived as a threat to or critique of existing programs. In reality, sound evaluation creates opportunities for positive change that can improve client service and organizational sustainability. By shifting your perspective on program evaluation, it becomes a valuable tool for growth.

Adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement and accountability.

Every organization has room for improvement. Program evaluation enables nonprofits to track progress and move forward. Collecting data that you do not or cannot use to make decisions is an effortful activity that frustrates teams.

Get everyone involved.

Cultural transformation touches every part of an organization, from board members to volunteers. To foster a robust evaluation culture, it's crucial to include everyone in planning, addressing fears and concerns, and embracing hopes and aspirations. By engaging all levels, you can drive continuous improvement and create a thriving, impactful organization.

The Powhatan Community Action Agency strives “to stabilize low-income individuals and families through advocacy, financial support, and collaboration with local service providers.” 🤝 KAG is proud to assist them in conducting a Community Needs Assessment designed to guide the future development of the agency’s initiatives and services. By combining our expertise and passion, we're dedicated to helping the Powhatan Community Action Agency continue its invaluable work by providing them with the information they need to create a roadmap to success. Stay tuned for news of a successful assessment this June! 👍

Knowledge Advisory Group is excited to share our partnership with the Better Housing Coalition (BHC) to empower their life-changing work! 🏡 The mission of BHC is to transform lives and communities through affordable housing, which aligns perfectly with our own values at KAG. Together, we're crafting logic models and outcome measurement strategies to help BHC demonstrate the effectiveness of the Resident Services, Property Management, and Real Estate departments, as well as the organization overall!

Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a force of compassion in our community, advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court while educating the public about these children's needs. KAG is honored to partner with them on their latest project, a proposed supervised visitation center.

Knowledge Advisory Group has been conducting focus groups to gather crucial input from community stakeholders, volunteers, and families. Our comprehensive report will highlight key findings and recommendations based on these important voices. Focus group data collection is an ingredient for success - this powerful tool will play a key role in planning for a supervised visitation center that meets the community’s needs.

Drumroll, please! We want to shine a spotlight on our ongoing partnership with Nia Community Development Corporation of Greater Richmond. Their mission? To empower people, transform communities, and help others achieve wellness, holistically, through awareness, education, support, and advocacy. 🌱

This spring, Knowledge Advisory Group is conducting a comprehensive organizational assessment and providing strategic support to help Nia amplify its impact. By identifying their key opportunities for improvement, we're helping build a stronger foundation for positive change.

The Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is an agency of certified court-appointed attorneys dedicated to protecting and defending the rights and dignity of its clients. Together, KAG and VIDC have been diving deep into analyzing data from their Court Management System, evaluating criminal justice outcomes, and identifying areas for program improvement. By leveraging these data-driven insights, VIDC will be even better equipped to deliver zealous, compassionate, and high-quality legal advocacy.

Thrive Birth to Five is on a mission to ensure that no child's success in school is determined by race, place, or income. 🌟 Their new program, Family Café, connects families with essential early childcare resources for kids between infancy and five years old. Our partnership with them in 2023 has helped put Family Café on the path to extraordinary impact!

In December, we finished working hand-in-hand with Thrive Birth to Five to develop a comprehensive logic model, a Family Café Toolkit with implementation procedures, a program evaluation protocol, and a crystal-clear report of evaluation findings. KAG is proud to assist Thrive Birth to Five as they provide families in Ready Region Central with the guidance, support, and community connections they need for their little one's development! 👩‍👧‍👦

Empowerhouse is a Virginia-accredited, nonprofit domestic violence program on a mission to empower survivors of domestic violence and their children to believe in themselves and build new lives filled with dignity, respect, safety, and hope.

We’re excited to join hands and provide crucial data and program evaluation support for a Primary Prevention Project funded by the Virginia Department of Social Services to further empower survivors across Fredericksburg, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

🚀 Ready to supercharge your program evaluation for 2024? Don't miss our latest blog post packed with actionable steps to prioritize evaluation activities this quarter!

Visit our website now to read the full post and kickstart your evaluation journey. ✨

https://buff.ly/3OOxY9X

Seeking a more robust approach to data-informed decisions? Dive into our NIMBLE model! Designed to adapt and empower, NIMBLE (Navigate, Include, Magnify, Build, Learn, and Evaluate) caters to organizations at any stage of their data journey.

Our flexible framework offers key opportunities for planning, implementation, and using data effectively for evaluation. Visit our website now to download our FREE tipsheet and explore how NIMBLE can revolutionize your organization's decision-making process!

https://buff.ly/3OFF7Jx

Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) works to create a safer, more inclusive community where those impacted by the legal system can enjoy equal civil and human rights. For nearly 50 years, OAR’s services have helped thousands of justice-involved individuals of all genders, and their families, navigate a safe reentry or avoid incarceration.

We’re honored to join forces and support OAR to evaluate their program, Project Second and Fair Chances, and make it even more impactful, ensuring a brighter future for these individuals and families in Arlington County and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Our journey into logic model development isn't just about planning; it's about sparking engaging discussions among team members. From conflicting views to unified perspectives, this process paves the way for a shared understanding of your program's purpose and strategy. 🌐✨

And, in the end, our team emerges empowered and united, working hand-in-hand to support the organization's mission effectively. But that's not all! Logic models unlock a multitude of other benefits, too, including:

- Logic models help to determine if program services align seamlessly with intended outcomes. Sometimes, they show us where tweaks are needed, leading to improved program design.

- Logic models are your “elevator pitch” to the world. They provide a clear, concise snapshot of your services and outcomes, allowing you to show funders and other stakeholders that your program is well-thought-out, and you are ready to share specific data.

- And, logic models are an invaluable tool for program evaluation, providing you with a clear roadmap for the activities and outcomes that should be measured.

Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia (EMACV) is the backbone behind emergency preparation, response, and recovery across 25 counties, cities, and tribal nations in Central VA.

We're thrilled to be part of crafting a strategy to strengthen the partnership between EMACV and its fiscal agent, PlanRVA. 🌐🤝 The goal? To elevate collaboration and effectiveness, ensuring a more seamless and impactful emergency management system for our communities.

Happy New Year!

Time for new resolutions, celebrations, and confetti! Let's bid farewell to the old and welcome the new with open arms and a whole lot of sparkle.✨💃

2024, here we come!

Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People, Inc. (CAPUP) is on a mission to foster dignity and self-reliance for those in need in our communities. Alongside their team, we’re diving into a community needs assessment to identify how and where they can make the biggest impact in Richmond, Petersburg, and Hopewell, as well as, Dinwiddie and Prince George counties. We're on a mission to pinpoint the areas needing a little extra love and support, shaping the future of CAPUP’s initiatives and services for a brighter and more self-reliant community.

As this year winds down, here's to embracing a brand new chapter brimming with endless success! 🚀🎇 May your holidays be filled with cozy moments and joy, surrounded by your loved ones.

Sending you warm winter wishes from the data geeks with people skills! ❄️✨

Mark your calendars 🗓️

Just a friendly heads up, folks! 📢 From December 15, 2023, through January 2, 2024, we'll be out of the office, celebrating the holidays and recharging for the new year.

Gratitude is our attitude! We are so thankful to everyone who has contributed to making this year one of the most impactful and awesome years yet! Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and delicious feasts. Happy Thanksgiving from our team to yours! 🦃🧡

Feeling overwhelmed by data? You're not alone. Ongoing evaluation support can be the key to optimizing operations, staying true to your mission, and upholding public trust. With it, you're continuously adapting and improving to better serve your communities and stakeholders.

Are you ready to dive in and need some guidance? Don't hesitate to reach out if you're looking for support. We're here to help!

When it comes to making decisions, here's a golden rule: Let data be your co-pilot. 🚀 Whether it's in business, education, or everyday life, data-informed decisions lead to better outcomes. So, before you plot your course, check the numbers to make informed choices. Success is just a data point away!

At Knowledge Advisory Group, we're all about uncovering the hidden and exploring the unknown – so it’s no wonder that we love the spirit of Halloween! 🔮 Happy Halloween from your favorite data geeks! 🎃 Here's to a spook-tacular day filled with fun, fright, and plenty of treats! 🍬

With over 50 years of collective program evaluation and data experience, Knowledge Advisory Group has
been a trusty guide in the data world for training both nonprofits and government agencies. 📚 💼

Whether you're looking for an introductory course or want to dive deep into outcomes and evaluation culture, our trainings are led by outcome strategists doing what they do best: helping you wow-ify your data world! 📊

Evaluation is more than just numbers and charts; it's a beautiful blend of science and art.

Let’s break through those preconceived notions that might make data analysis seem daunting and instead, embrace the incredible opportunities it presents. Armed with imagination and insight, you'll uncover the true power data holds to shape and enhance your goals.

Join us in discovering the artistry within evaluation – it's a journey worth taking! 🎨✨

In the world of nonprofits, organizations must showcase their impacts. Being crystal-clear with your outcome data not only attracts financial and community support but also helps pinpoint areas for improvement. Remember, meaningful information is a powerful tool; use it to let your true impact shine!