Our Approach to Evaluation
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Evaluation is an instructive component of program planning and organizational development. It is an ongoing, adaptive, nuanced process designed to measure progress as well as inform internal operations, program implementation and systems change. Kingslow Associates begins with a clear understanding of your needs and the purpose of the evaluation. We are capable of working independently and providing objective determinations and findings or working collaboratively with you to integrate evaluation information into strategic planning and organizational development processes.
We are committed to communicating a clear rationale for the evaluation, its processes, progress, and how data will be collected and used. We also create an environment for open exchange and partnership. We convey and report critical findings in a constructive, diplomatic manner that is designed to promote dialogue and solutions. We are able to navigate multiple program lines, stakeholder interests and political considerations and report complex evaluation findings in a dynamic context.
We bring a high level of cultural sensitivity to our work and believe it is important to include diverse perspectives in the evaluation's design and interpretive processes. We are capable of implementing participatory evaluation methods and helping organizations frame evaluation findings to advance social policy or advocacy objectives. At the same time, we are extremely sensitive to issues of accountability, attribution, the validity of indicators and confidentiality.
In addition to conducting single- and multi-site evaluations, we conduct evaluation planning to help organizations incorporate an evaluation framework into their front-end program work. We work with staff and boards to build capacity to use evaluation to advance organizational effectiveness and policy objectives. We also provide technical assistance to grantees to help them develop practices and tools that facilitate ongoing planning, self-assessment and learning.
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Selected Projects
Evaluation of Small Business Technical Assistance Networks
Client: Annie E. Casey Foundation
Evaluation of the Baltimore Small Business Support Fund, a network-based model to build the capacity of community development financial institutions and small business development organizations to deliver high-quality technical assistance and supports to small businesses, particularly BIPOC-owned enterprises. The initiative leveraged funding from national and local foundations and incentivized changes in small business development policies and funding.
Evaluation of Workforce Development Partnerships
Client: Mayor's Office of Employment Development
Evaluation of Baltimore's implementation of the Urban Employment for Youth and Young Adults Demonstration, a U.S. Department of Labor-funded initiative to increase access for disconnected young adults to in-demand jobs in targeted industry sectors. Baltimore focused on building the capacity of sector-focused training organizations, neighborhood-based services providers and public agencies to form effective partnerships. The initiative resulted in sustained partnerships, improved funding allocations and the ongoing involvement of legal services and child support organizations in workforce development strategies. Evaluation was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Rapid Response and Long-Term Planning Targeting Disconnected Young Adults
Client: Annie E. Casey Foundation
In response to civil unrest in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, the Casey Foundation convened an internal working group to develop near- and long-term grantmaking strategies and social investments targeting disconnected youth and young adults living in low-income neighborhoods. Conducted a detailed analysis of the Foundation's investment strategies and grantmaking practices under the rapid response, and provided documentation support and formative feedback.
Evaluation of Living Cities Integration Initiative
Client: Mt. Auburn Associates and Mathematica Policy Research
Member of team assembled to evaluate an $80 million, five-city investment in community revitalization strategies and innovations designed to improve access to opportunity for residents of disinvested neighborhoods in the areas of education, housing, health care, transit, and jobs. The evaluation design was formative and summative and focused on project- and systems-level outcomes.
Arkansas Creative Economy Evaluation
Client: Regional Technology Strategies
Evaluation of the research and technical assistance components of an initiative to increase the economic impact of businesses and individuals engaged in the arts and design professions in Arkansas. This three-year, statewide initiative was designed to quantify the creative economy, develop new partnerships, influence the legislative agenda and stimulate pilot projects within manufacturing networks and community colleges. Funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.
Culinary Arts Training Program Evaluation
Client: Reconcile New Orleans
Evaluation of a culinary arts training program for at-risk youth and associated social enterprises. Assessed effectiveness of existing workforce development programs and operations, documented best practices from the field, and developed indicators and tools for ongoing self-assessment and sustainability. Provided technical assistance to inform growth strategies that strengthen linkages to the hospitality and food services sectors and improve job retention and career advancement outcomes for participants.
Community Change Initiatives
Clients: Various
Worked on various CCIs in multiple capacities, including initiative design, evaluation, technical assistance, best practice documentation and assessing the economic opportunity and workforce development components. Initiatives includes: Annie E. Casey Foundation's Making Connections; Surdna Foundation's Community Revitalization Program; Edna McConnell Clark Foundation's Neighborhood Progress Initiative; Enterprise Foundation's Community Building in Partnership; Ford Foundation's Neighborhood and Family Initiative; John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Fund for Community Redevelopment and Revitalization; and the Ms. Foundation for Women's Education and Action for Neighborhood and Economic Development.
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