Scherer, Shelley Christine
(2011)
Do Foundations Assess Social Impact? An Investigation of the Forces that Motivate Foundations to Evaluate Grants and Measure Organizational Performance.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
This paper examines the factors that influence the evaluation practices of American philanthropic foundations, using an institutional theory framework. To this end, it explores the literature, contributed by both the academic community and esteemed philanthropic practitioners, that informs understanding of organizational dynamics in general and evaluation practices in particular. From this literature emerged several propositions regarding the factors that influence evaluation practices. As part of this study, these propositions were explored through key informant interviews with representatives from eight foundations headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Through this approach, this paper contributes to the field by integrating the views of academic theorists, philanthropic thought leaders, and current practitioners. Relative to evaluation practices, the most striking findings were the importance of the grantee-funder relationship, the influence of grantees, and the impact of organizational lifecycle. These insights have several implications for policy-makers and point to opportunities for further research.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Scherer, Shelley Christine | scs44@pitt.edu | SCS44 | |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
28 June 2011 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
14 January 2011 |
| Approval Date: |
28 June 2011 |
| Submission Date: |
3 February 2011 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs > Public and International Affairs |
| Degree: |
MPA - Master of Public Administration |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
evaluation; foundations; philanthropy; social impact |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-02032011-142507/, etd-02032011-142507 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:31 |
| Last Modified: |
19 Dec 2016 14:34 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6328 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}