- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Assessing performance of animal welfare organizations...
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Assessing performance of animal welfare organizations to improve philanthropic decision-making McConnachie, Leanne Katherine
Abstract
In 2005-06, 24 Canadian and American animal welfare organizations (AWOs) and foundations participated in an in-depth qualitative study to establish which performance criteria best determine the effectiveness of AWOs. Participants' comments resulted in the development of a framework that offers individual donors and foundations a consistent approach to evaluating organizational performance. Termed the PREP Framework, this approach categorizes performance into four key pillars, each with its own components and criteria: 1. Philosophy - the organization's beliefs and values, as reflected in its mandate, position statements, policies and practices; 2. Red Flags - indicators of problems in the organization, such as excessive personnel turnover, disproportionate management salaries, high administration and fundraising costs, lack of peer collaboration, poor financial statements; 3. Efficiencies - financial and operational conduct of the organization, including long term strategic planning, financial credibility and sustainability; and 4. People - abilities of those involved with the organization, including management, volunteers, peers, donors and board members. The study also explored the pros and cons of standardizing performance evaluation and found that many participants felt the sector would benefit from the use of more quantitative and qualitative benchmarks and standards to establish sector norms and trends. In addition, the research examined the sector's familiarity with outcome measurement and found most participants struggled to clearly define outcomes for the sector. This may suggest the sector would also gain from consultation on how to establish objectives within an outcome evaluation framework. Finally, the study investigated how funding strategies of foundations often are at odds with AWO needs and priorities. Participants identified conflicts concerning funding of: 1. short-term vs. long-term projects; 2. innovative vs. proven projects; 3. many, small grants vs. fewer, large grants; 4. new vs. established organizations; 5. emotional appeal vs. practical needs; and 6. no-kill vs. open-admission shelters. Participants provided ideas on where funding could be applied to make the most impact and achieve mutual goals for both AWOs and foundations. The findings and recommendations of this study may enable AWOs to better identify and manage their objectives while enabling donors and foundations to better assess AWO performance and outcomes to improve philanthropic decision-making.
Item Metadata
Title |
Assessing performance of animal welfare organizations to improve philanthropic decision-making
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
2007
|
Description |
In 2005-06, 24 Canadian and American animal welfare organizations (AWOs) and foundations
participated in an in-depth qualitative study to establish which performance criteria best determine
the effectiveness of AWOs. Participants' comments resulted in the development of a framework
that offers individual donors and foundations a consistent approach to evaluating organizational
performance. Termed the PREP Framework, this approach categorizes performance into four
key pillars, each with its own components and criteria: 1. Philosophy - the organization's beliefs
and values, as reflected in its mandate, position statements, policies and practices; 2. Red Flags
- indicators of problems in the organization, such as excessive personnel turnover,
disproportionate management salaries, high administration and fundraising costs, lack of peer
collaboration, poor financial statements; 3. Efficiencies - financial and operational conduct of the
organization, including long term strategic planning, financial credibility and sustainability; and 4.
People - abilities of those involved with the organization, including management, volunteers,
peers, donors and board members. The study also explored the pros and cons of standardizing
performance evaluation and found that many participants felt the sector would benefit from the
use of more quantitative and qualitative benchmarks and standards to establish sector norms and
trends. In addition, the research examined the sector's familiarity with outcome measurement and
found most participants struggled to clearly define outcomes for the sector. This may suggest the
sector would also gain from consultation on how to establish objectives within an outcome
evaluation framework. Finally, the study investigated how funding strategies of foundations often
are at odds with AWO needs and priorities. Participants identified conflicts concerning funding of:
1. short-term vs. long-term projects; 2. innovative vs. proven projects; 3. many, small grants vs.
fewer, large grants; 4. new vs. established organizations; 5. emotional appeal vs. practical needs;
and 6. no-kill vs. open-admission shelters. Participants provided ideas on where funding could be
applied to make the most impact and achieve mutual goals for both AWOs and foundations. The
findings and recommendations of this study may enable AWOs to better identify and manage
their objectives while enabling donors and foundations to better assess AWO performance and
outcomes to improve philanthropic decision-making.
|
Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2011-03-04
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0093073
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.