EDIT CARES
Project Statement
The EDIT Community Award for Research and Evaluation Services (EDIT CARES) supports community-based programming through short-term, focused evaluation projects at no cost to participating programs. Through increasing the availability of university-based evaluation and technical assistance resources, tailored to community-based programming, we aim to nurture community-based capabilities to lead in-house evaluation activities.
- EDIT CARES offers a structured approach to micro evaluation projects, characterized by a timetable that centers on the most pressing need of our partner while positioning project activities to nurture skill-based capacity.
Project Goals
The EDIT CARES initiative aims to foster a more equitable and inclusive society through cultivating the community-based capabilities around program evaluation.
- We are committed to dismantling systemic barriers to health and well-being by equipping historically marginalized communities with the tools and resources needed for self-efficacy, self-determination, and sustainability.
Eligibility
The EDIT CARES initiative is particularly interested in supporting programs that address critical gaps in equity, health, and well-being, while confronting systemic barriers that marginalized communities face. We seek applicants who indicate a financial need for pro bono services, prioritizing smaller or emerging programs.
- Programs with By us, For us leadership are encouraged to apply, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQ+ populations and racial/ethnic minorities. Both programs that are standalone and embedded within a larger organization are welcome to apply.
- Recent awardees include Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Center on Halsted, Black & Pink, Sexpectations, and Lighthouse Foundation.
Benefits
The EDIT CARES initiative provides the opportunity to work alongside an evaluator and analyst from the EDIT CARES team to strengthen evaluation infrastructures. Primary activities are summarized in a project plan aligned with your needs and priorities. By the end of the project (typically 3-6 months), you'll gain a suite of practical tools and insights to continually enhance your program's impact - whether you’re evaluating a new program, incorporating participant feedback, or creating a data collection plan.
Application Process
The EDIT CARES initiative reviews applications on a quarterly basis (however applicants are welcome to submit anytime during the year with time-sensitive programs). Applicants submit an online application that requests an overview of the applicant’s program, including mission/goals, primary activities, and priorities related to evaluation. Candidates who move forward will have an interview with our selection committee. If selected for an award, our team will invite the awardee to a project launch/orientation meeting to initiate the EDIT CARES project.
Approach
The EDIT CARES initiative utilizes our Systems-Informed Empowerment Evaluation (SIEE), a theory-based and ecological evaluation framework, to pursue social, economic, and environmental justice through context-responsive evaluation that centers the priorities of community-stakeholders. Program evaluation, through our SIEE framework, is equipped to systematically assess the processes and outcomes related to your program to support decision-making and growth.
At the end of the EDIT CARES project, awardees will typically be produced:
- Evaluation Plan, detailing your evaluation questions and data collection approach
- Program Manual, describing your program elements
- Data Collection Processes and Tools, centering your priorities and capacity
- Evaluation Report, summarizing the findings, insights, and decisions related to the project
Team
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Submit an Application
Submit an application form to the EDIT CARES selection committee.