Why do we evaluate grant projects?
Evaluation is integral to planning and implementing your grant program. Effective evaluation consists of writing evaluation questions, collecting data and feedback, and disseminating and utilising the results
Evaluating your program helps determine whether its activities have been effective, reached your target audience, and made an impact on preventing falls in the community. Good evaluation can help you identify what worked, what didn’t work, and what needs to be improved for future falls prevention activities or programs.
Developing your evaluation plan
Your evaluation plan should begin with clearly your defined objectives (identified early in the grant planning process) and program activities being delivered to achieve your objectives (e.g. strength and balance exercise sessions delivered by a Physiotherapist)
Think about how you will measure the success of your program objectives and activities and outline the evaluation indicators (e.g. what process or impact measures you will use). Ensure your objectives for your evaluation plan are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Evaluation indicators
Which process and impact measures will you use to measure the achievement of your program objectives and activities?
Process evaluation focuses on the implementation of your grant activities as well as community or participant reach. For example:
- Number of exercise sessions delivered
- Number of exercise session participants
Impact evaluation relates to your grant program’s immediate and short-term effects and should align with measuring your program objectives. Depending on what your program is trying to achieve, it is important to use a range of impact indicators to evaluate it. For example:
- % of participants who report an increased knowledge of strength and balance exercises for falls prevention.
- % of participants who can recall strength and balance exercises for falls prevention.
- % of participants who have increased strength and balance levels
An example for a Move Your Body program objective that is SMART
“The grant program will result in 70% of participants demonstrating increased knowledge and awareness of the importance of strength and balance exercises to prevent falls.
Developing evaluation questions
Formulate key evaluation questions that you will ask to measure the programs success. These questions should relate directly to your objectives and outcomes.
Measurement tools for data collection
Common tools include
- Surveys
- Focus Groups
- Strength and balance tests/assessments
Recommended falls prevention screening and assessment tools
- Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com)
- Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
- Sit-to-Stand Tests
- 4-Stage Balance Test
Timeline
When will you collect data? Some examples include:
- Pre and post the session.
- Pre and post grant program.
- At 4 and 8 weeks
Next Steps
Here’s some tips before submitting your application:
- Don’t use fancy language just for the sake of it. Keep your grant applications clear and concise
- Make sure you answer every question
- Double check budget items and figures
- Get someone to proof-read the application
Catch up on the steps for grant writing
- Guide to grant writing step 1: Laying the foundation
- Guide to grant writing step 2: Project overview and setting objectives
- Guide to grant writing step 3: Partnerships, sustainability & budget
Delve deeper into evaluation
Watch webinars on how to evaluate project activities, data collection and translation methods, how to mitigate any challenges that arise, and practical tips to support your evaluation activities.
Haven’t downloaded your grant application yet?
It’s not too late to get started!
We’re here to help! Reach out to the Grants Coordinator to discuss your proposed grant project. Call (08) 6166 7688 or email [email protected].
Applications close Friday 30 May 2025 at 5pm.