Evaluating Programs: Can We Measure the Value of Health Grantmaking?

Partnering with policymakers and members of the business community is an effective way to increase the impact of health grantmaking by working cross-sectorally, and evaluating the effectiveness of these partnerships will help sustain interest in such collaborations. A useful type of evaluation in this regard, referred to as outcome or outcomes-based evaluation, focuses on the short- and long-term results of a program and its effect on a community. The results of outcome evaluations provide insight to community leaders into the value of health grantmaking. This essay considers the utility of a specific outcomes-based evaluation – economic quantification – as an evaluation tool for health grantmakers interested in partnering with policymakers and members of the business community on important health issues.