The Health Foundation’s Synergy Initiative embraces a philosophy of partnership between the applicant/grantee, the evaluator, and the Foundation in a shared aim of achieving success. This approach is operationalized through a planning and evaluation system called Results-Oriented Grantmaking and Grant-Implementation (ROGG, Copyright © by Dr. Janice B. Yost and Dr. Abraham H. Wandersman).
ROGG applies an empowerment evaluation approach to maximize a project’s chances of success whereby grantees utilize ten guiding accountability questions (below) to provide the structure for an effective problem-solving process and support the facilitation of program planning and monitoring, the documentation of outcomes, and the sustainability of interventions. Applicant/Grantee, evaluator, and funder partners work as a collaborative team throughout the process.
The ROGG system consists of a series of forms which incorporate the ten accountability questions in varying degrees of specificity. Appropriate forms are made available by the Foundation to the applicant/grantee as they progress step-by-step through the process of planning, piloting, implementation, and sustainability of results.
Accountability Questions | Strategic Planning/Evaluation Focus |
1. What are the underlying needs and conditions that must be addressed? | Needs & Assets/Resources Assessment |
2. What are the goals, population of focus and objectives (i.e., desired outcomes)? | Goal Setting |
3. Which science-(evidence) based models and best practice programs can be useful in reaching the goals? | Review of Literature & Promising Practice Programs |
4. What actions need to be taken so the selected program “fits” the community context? | Feedback on Comprehensiveness and Fit of Program |
5. What is the plan for this program? | Planning |
6. What organizational capacities are needed to implement the plan? | Organizational capacities |
7. Is the program being implemented with quality? | Process Evaluation |
8. How well is the program working? | Outcome and Impact Evaluation |
9. How will continuous quality improvement strategies be included? | Lessons Learned |
10. If the program is successful, how will it be sustained? | Sustainability Plan |