Level Best

Articles in nonprofit journals have actually used the word “frenzy” to describe the climate around evaluation in today’s nonprofit sector. With increasing pressure on nonprofits to “prove” that what they’re doing deserves support, organizations often find themselves struggling to deal with the outsize expectations of their funders, the anxiety of their boards, and the limitations of their budgets. Countering some of the misguided notions that are fueling the fire, this down-to-earth, interactive workshop provides a fresh and reasonable approach to evaluation which is sized to fit nonprofit needs and realities, and takes into account the unique challenges of smaller and more grassroots organizations.

Marianne Philbin is Executive Director of the Pierce Family Foundation in Chicago; Marcia Festen is Executive Director of the Arts Work Fund. They have many years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and extensive background as trainers and evaluation specialists. The foundations each of them now run have a focus on supporting organizational development and capacity building for nonprofit organizations.

Marcia has worked for the John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation, as well as being a founding board member of Girls Best Friend Foundation.

Marianne has served in leadership roles at the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, the Chicago Foundation for Women, and numerous other organizations. In addition to her current role with the Pierce Foundation, Marianne is a lead instructor for The Donors Forum of Chicago, where she teaches on many issues related to running nonprofits.