Measuring Nonprofit Performance and Social Need: The Application of Geographic Information Systems Technology

Abstract

On a yearly basis, the Boone County Community Services Advisory Commission and the Office of Community Services in Columbia, Missouri, invite local nonprofit organizations to apply for potential funding assistance. In return, the City of Columbia and Boone County require nonprofit organizations receiving funds to participate in an evaluation of selected program outcomes. Annually, about five to seven nonprofit entities undergo an external evaluation of programs benefiting from funding assistance. In an era of greater accountability expectations, both government and nonprofit agencies need a better understanding of how monetary resources are converted to program services, in order to improve their decision making.