Theory of Change & Logic Model Design

Toni Wiley and Tanya A. HillsCapacity Building ProgramThree-Day TrainingFebruary 18-20, 2015Orlando, Florida

Benefits of Use

Clear, concise and consistent communication with staff, BOD, donors, media outlets and the community

More clearly express the mission of NJTL

Establish alignment between staff and BOD

Establish community buy-in for NJTL as a youth development program – not just tennis.

Theory of Change3

A Theory of Change is a specific and measurable description of a social change initiative that forms the basis for strategic planning, on-going decision-making and evaluation.

-Center for Theory of Change, 2013

Theory of Change

For example:Low literacy levels among adultsHunger in our communitySignificant pedestrian accidentsEtc.

4

Assumption: there is a condition we want to change/achieve

Theory of Change

NJTL participants will have better graduation rates because…

NJTL participants will be better prepared for success in school/college/life because…

5

Our Starting Assumptions:

Social Change is a Process

Example:Literacy rates will not improve

overnight. We ask:

What is my starting point?What steps do I take to move my

community towards literacy?How do I know these steps will/are

working?

6

Turning a ship, not flipping a switch

Social Change is a Process

To improve literacy rates in young adults, we could:

Focus on young adultsStart with high school studentsIntervene in middle schoolCreate a family based initiative, etc.

7

Turning a ship, not flipping a switch

Sportsman’s8

“Using tennis as a vehicle to open doors of opportunity for inner city

youth.”

How?

This is not a theory of change, it’s a slogan.

Theory of Change

Building blocks required to bring about a long-term goal.

A causal pathway from here to there

What you want to achieve (TOC)vs. what you are doing

Sportsman’s

CharacterEducation

GraduationHealth

10

“Using tennis as a vehicle to open doors of opportunity for inner city youth.”

How?

NJTL Theory of Change

Building blocks required to bring about a long-term goal: Tennis, Health, Education and Life Skills

A causal pathway from here to thereGraduation, College, etc.

Sportsmen’s Theory of Change12

Complete High School

Pursue Post Secondary Education

Live Healthy, Active Lifestyles

Be contributing members of

their community

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH

TENNIS

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

&

Sportsmen’s Tennis Club

TOOLSStructured, small group instruction; Trained staff; Teaching styles that match learning styles; Skill

inventories; Fun

GUIDANCECoach/tutor/mentor/ teacher relationship; Learning how to learn; Emphasis on

improvement; Relationship with others in small group

ENVIRONMENT/CULTUREBelief in all students’ ability to

learn & improve; High expectations; Sense of

community; Abundance of role models

Low-Income youth and young adults who reside or attend school

in STC neighborhoods

When to Use a TOCChoosing your program offerings. Programs should help

you execute your theory of change.

Secure funding and partners. If a funder supports education, you can’t ask for funding for tennis.

Develop a plan for success.

Evaluate outcomes at the appropriate time and in the right sequence. How do you prove along the way that you’re on track.

Identify or explain exactly why an initiative was successful or unsuccessful. Poor plan, or poor execution?

-Clark and Anderson, 2004

TOC Model

-Clark and Anderson, 2004

TOC Example

http://www.theoryofchange.org/wp-content/uploads/toco_library/pdf/FiverChildrensFoundationTheoryofChangeandNarrative.pdf

-Center for Theory of Change, 2013

Questions

TOC Elevator Speech

Similarities SummarySummarize a complex theory or program into basic parts

Illustrate your work; make it tangible

Communicate with a diverse range of audiences

Build buy-in for your organization or program

Show the impact of your organization

Differences Summary

Theories of Change Logic Models

Starts with “What do we want to achieve”BroadOrganization LevelStrategic ThinkingIllustration of “How” and “Why” Change OccursExplanatory: Requires JustificationEvidence or Indicators of Success are Defined

Starts with “ What do we do”SpecificProgrammatic LevelList of ComponentsIllustration of Program Components Descriptive: Identifies Program Components No Evidence or Indicators of Success are Required

Logic Model

Graphic illustration of the key components of a program

What you do, how you do it and why you do it

What you are doing vs. what you want to achieve

When to Use a Logic Model

Describe a program or initiative at a glance; give someone a basic understanding of your program or initiative

Demonstrate you have identified the basic components of your program/initiative

Provide details on the inputs, outputs and outcomes for your work

-Clark and Anderson, 2004

Capacity Building Program Logic Model

What we are doing:community assessmentstargeted training and technical assistancepromising tennis and education programscurriculacapacity building grants

What we want to achieve:deliver results-based tennis and education programsserve a greater number of constituentsachieve higher levels of saturationreach a broader more diverse populationattain sustainabilityefficiently and effectively achieve their mission

Logic Model Example

Questions

Logic Model Elevator Speech

Activity OneAs a table:

Describe the benefits of having/using a Theory of Change and a Logic Model

Describe the different audiences that they can be used with

Are the benefits to each audience different, the same or a bit of both?

Activity Two

Make a list of the different components of a logic model in your workbook

Define/describe each component as a table

Activity ThreeIn your workbook, make a list of the types of information you need in order to develop your logic model

In your workbook, make a list of the individuals that will be included in the development of your logic model(s); how will they inform the process?

Discuss your lists and rational in pairs

Activity Four

In your workbook, develop a list of specific local organization and individuals you will share your logic model with

In pairs, discuss which components of the model you will emphasize for each organization/individual

Develop a Draft Logic Model

Presentations

In three minutes or less:

Define a Logic Model: what it is, the process, who is involved, etc.

Present your draft logic model

Describe a key take away from this course

DeliverableDue June 1, 2015:

Internalize the logic model within your organization

Incorporate Theory of Change language into grants, mission statement, etc.

Submit to your to Tanya A. Hills a draft logic model for your organization

Questions

References

Clark, H. & Anderson, A. (2004) Theories of Change and Logic Models: Telling Them Apart, http://www.theoryofchange.org/wp-content/uploads/toco_library/pdf/TOCs_and_Logic_Models_forAEA

.pdf

Theory of Change Center, Inc., 2013, http://www.theoryofchange.org/