Rochester Grantmakers Forum
A professional association of foundations, corporations, government representatives, philanthropic organizations and individuals;
 the Forum serves as a catalyst and resource for effective philanthropy.

List of REP Partners

Fall 2003 Calendar

Rochester Effectiveness Partnership

Overview                                                                                            

The Rochester Effectiveness Partnership (REP) .began in 1996.  It currently involves 38 partners and 2 associates, including funders, nonprofit agencies and evaluation consultants (see Partners List).  With training and coaching from evaluators, REP partners work collaboratively to determine and improve the effectiveness of their work. 

REP has identified a critical niche in Greater Rochester that was not being filled: providing in-depth, high-quality training followed by consistent coaching that is enduring enough to result in significant practice changes for funders and service providers.  In addition, REP periodically offers one-time learning opportunities that help move the broader community of funders and service providers forward in thinking more clearly about our work and focusing on effectiveness.  REP has also created a unique model for collaboration, one that enables funders, providers and evaluation professionals to become true partners, benefiting from each other’s knowledge and skills.

Participatory Evaluation

REP uses participatory evaluation as its primary learning vehicle. This approach actively engages staff in working with a professional evaluator. REP partners (both funders and nonprofits) improve the effectiveness of their organizations, and collaboratives their organizations work within, by learning to design, conduct and use the results of evaluations, increasing their skills in developing and implementing program plans, evaluating outcomes, and refining programs to strengthen results. Participatory evaluation enhances staff’s ability to assess their work continually and reshape their plans and programs accordingly.

Sample of Accomplishments and Lessons Learned

In 1999 a national study funded by the Knight Foundation identified REP as one of the two most promising initiatives of its type in the country.

During Phase 3 (January, 2001 - December, 2003), at the request of its current partners and others throughout the region, REP is broadening the reach of its “learning community” in order to maximize the effectiveness of dollars, time, and other resources provided by funders and nonprofits for the benefit of our citizens.