Business Commons^™

2019 Improving The Lives Of San Diego County Seniors Through Stable Housing: An Evaluation Of Elderhelp's Homeshare Program, Tessa Tinkler, Lisa Walker, Mary Jo Schumann

Seniors

This report, prepared by the Nonprofit Institute's Caster Center, documents the findings from a program evaluation of ElderHelp's HomeShare program, which is designed to connect individuals who want to share their homes with others looking for alternative housing options.

2019 Empowering Aging Adults To Improve Health: An Evaluation Of Olivewood Gardens Cooking For Salud Program, Tessa Tinkler, Michelle Schneider

Seniors

The report, prepared by The Nonprofit Institute's Caster Family Center for Nonprofit & Philanthropic Research, documents the findings from a program evaluation of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center's Cooking for Salud program which is an adult nutrition education program designed to support the health and well being of adults 55+ years in National City and San Diego's southeastern region.

2018 Navigating The Future: Transforming The Transition Experience For Service Members And Their Families, Kim D. Hunt, Mary Jo Schumann, Aya Tore

Military

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is an evaluation of Year 3 of zero8hundred. Zero8hundred is a cross-sector community initiative whose mission is to proactively link transitioning service members and their families to resources and opportunities in the community, helping them successfully transition to civilian life.

2017 Food, Friendship, And Health: Working Together To Serve Seniors In North County San Diego, Michelle Ahearne, Meghan Kelly, Mary Jo Schumann

Seniors

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is a three-year evaluation of the North County Senior Connections Thyme Together Food Truck Lunch Program.

2017 Fostering Whole Person Care Through A Care Coordination Network: Community Information Exchange San Diego, The Caster Family Center For Nonprofit And Philanthropic Research, University Of San Diego

Seniors

2-1-1 San Diego commissioned the University of San Diego’s Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research to conduct the Community Information Exchange (CIE) Cohort 2 evaluation, which focused on the senior (defined as ages 60+) population in the San Diego region.

Using a technology platform where agencies can enter and share client data, CIE strives to foster whole person care for the populations it serves (e.g., homeless, seniors, military), as well as reduce duplicative intakes and services provided by healthcare and social service agencies. By consenting into CIE, clients give permission for data sharing and may receive multiple referrals …

2017 The Impact Of Reading Aloud To Children: An Evaluation Of The Words Alive Read Aloud Program, Caster Family Center For Nonprofit And Philanthropic Research, University Of San Diego

Youth, Education, and Literacy

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is an evaluation of the Words Alive Read Aloud Program. Words Alive is a nonprofit organization focused on creating opportunities for life success by inspiring a commitment to reading.

2017 Zero8hundred's Continuing The Promise Of A New Day: Support For Service Members Transitioning To Civilian Life In San Diego, Kim D. Hunt, Mary Jo Schumann

Military

This report, prepared by the Caster Center, is a 2-year evaluation report about zero8hundred. Zero8hundred is a cross-sector community initiative whose mission is to proactively link transitioning service members and their families to resources and opportunities in the community, helping them successfully transition to civilian life.

2016 The Promise Of A New Day: Support For Service Members Transitioning To Civilian Life In San Diego, Kim D. Hunt, Mary Jo Schumann

Military

This report highlights the first year program evaluation of zero8hundred, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to proactively link transitioning military families to a broad range of resources, helping them successfully transition to civilian life in San Diego County.

2016 Food, Friends, And Health: An Evaluation Of North County Senior Connections Thyme Together Food Truck Lunch Program, Michelle Ahearne, Azadeh Davari, Tessa Tinkler, Mary Jo Schumann

Seniors

The North County Senior Connections Thyme Together Food Truck Lunch Program (subsequently referred to as NCSC) is a collaborative project initiated in November 2014 that provides affordable, nutritious lunches, recreational programming, and community information to seniors in the northern region of San Diego County (North County).

In May 2015, six months after NCSC launched, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation commissioned the University of San Diego’s Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research (Caster Center) to: 1) evaluate NCSC’s progress towards meeting its objectives, and 2) provide feedback and recommendations for programmatic changes as necessary. This report presents the findings …

2015 Food And Function: An Assessment Of The Capacity Of Food Pantry Programs In San Diego County, Mary Jo Schumann, Crystal Trull, Carolyn Noack

Food Security

Food pantry programs play a critical role in meeting a basic need for thousands of individuals and families each year. They are the front-line support mechanism for providing short-term or emergency assistance to those struggling with food insecurity. San Diego County has a wide variety of food pantry programs that are helping to meet the need of thousands of hungry residents across the region.

In 2012, several of the major emergency food provider agencies in San Diego County gathered to discuss how collaboration could support cost-saving efficiencies in the food distribution network, and subcommittees were formed to collaborate on achieving …

2014 North County Senior Connections: Needs Assessment And Asset Mapping, Mary Jo Schumann, Crystal Trull

Seniors

In December 2013, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation (RSFF) commissioned the Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research (Caster Center) at the University of San Diego to conduct a Phase I research study to provide RSFF Grants and Projects Committee (GPC) with relevant data and research needed to help make informed decisions about a new program titled “North County Senior Connections” (NCSC).

2013 Applied Projects Evaluation Organizational Impact Report, Svetlana Krasynska, Jennifer A. Jones, Mary Jo Schumann

USD Evaluation of Applied Learning Model in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Master's Program

University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management (NLM) master’s degree program places a special focus on experiential learning, requiring students to complete multiple applied projects as part of the program’s curriculum. Applied projects give students various opportunities to work in teams to provide real-world consulting services to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. In developing this curriculum, the NLM program serves both the students who are given these real-world consulting opportunities, as well as the client organizations who benefit from the services provided by the students.

In Fall 2010, the University of San Diego’s NLM program initiated an Applied Projects Evaluation …

Kroc Fit Kids Needs Assessment, Brandon Dotts, Jason Jarvinen, Maria Todaro, Morgan Wilson

Program Design and Evaluation

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, a 12.4-acre family support, education, recreation, and cultural arts center located in the Rolando neighborhood of San Diego, is interested in designing an intervention program to alleviate the issue of low levels of physical activity and combat the childhood obesity problem. The Kroc Center is well suited to designing such an intervention because it works closely with six partner elementary schools in its surrounding neighborhoods. To assist the Kroc Center in developing an intervention, this needs assessment examines factors that may lead to low fitness scores, and the potential dangers to students, and the community, …

2012 Reboot Program Evaluation: A Report To The Kisco Foundation, Laura Deitrick, Ian Martin, Roxanne Ruzic

Military

The Kisco Foundation commissioned researchers at the Center for Education Policy and Law and the Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research at the University of San Diego to work with REBOOT, a nonprofit based in Southern California, to conduct an evaluation of its program, REBOOT WorkshopsTM (REBOOT). REBOOT is a three-week-long program designed to assist members of the military in making the social and career transition from military service to civilian life by “re-booting” their skills, attitudes, and behaviors. The evaluation detailed in this report was conducted during the summer and fall of 2012, two years after the first …

2012 Applied Projects Evaluation Interim Report, Caster Family Center For Nonprofit And Philanthropic Research, University Of San Diego

USD Evaluation of Applied Learning Model in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Master's Program

In order to assess the value of applied projects completed by NPLM students for client nonprofit organizations, evaluation surveys are sent biannually. The statistics below demonstrate key findings from 69 responses to surveys administered during both the spring and fall of 2011 and 2012. The quotations included here are from the most recent survey conducted in the fall of 2012.

Young Adults With Mental Illness In North San Diego County - Yami, Ellen Frudakis, Jessica Hanson York, Evan Holland, Colleen Kollar Smith, Vi Nguyen

Program Design and Evaluation

Research project on young adults with mental illness in North San Diego County for YAMI. Includes a needs assessment, program design, social marketing plan, evaluation plan and budget.

A Comprehensive Model For Re-Engaging Out-Of-School Youth: Turning The Hearts Center, Hallie Johnson, Doug Luffborough, Annamarie Maricle

Program Design and Evaluation

Student research project on the Turning the Hearts Center which includes a needs assessment, program design & methodology, social marketing plan, evaluation plan and budget.

College Readiness Of African-American Student Athletes, Carol Bos, Grace Chaidez, Andrew Nunn-Miller, Daisy Rodriguez

Program Design and Evaluation

Research project of The Larry English Foundation- Leading Education to Athletes for their Dreams, focusing on African-American student-athletes.

Healthy Eating, Activity, Reinforcement, And Training (Heart): A Program For The Meeting Place Clubhouse, Casey Nguyen, Alexis Rogriguez, Lindsey Treankler, Kristen Zucht

Program Design and Evaluation

An assessment of HEART program which includes...

- Program Design & Methodology

- Social Marketing Plan

- Evaluation Plan

- Budget

A Career Development Program For At-Risk Youth Created For Writerz Blok, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey, Nicole Miller-Coleman, Kathy Myrers, Sharon Van Bruggen

Program Design and Evaluation

Research indicates at-risk youth (ages 15-24) in Southeast San Diego are likely to be unemployed or underemployed, and lack the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue meaningful living-wage (or better) employment. A review of the literature and primary data collection is presented and suggests an individualized career development program, supported by family members, community mentors and peers, would improve the opportunity for these youth to secure meaningful living-wage (or better) employment. The researchers propose the implementation of such a program, utilizing a quasi-experimental study design to determine program effectiveness. Program objectives, work plan, assessment, social marketing, program evaluation, and proposed …

Young Adults With Mental Illness In North San Diego County - Yami: Appendixes D-E, Ellen Frudakis, Jessica Hanson York, Evan Holland, Colleen Kollar Smith, Vi Nguyen

Program Design and Evaluation

Young Adults With Mental Illness in North San Diego County - YAMI: Appendixes D-E

2011 Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report, Heather Carpenter, Holly Hoffman

USD Evaluation of Applied Learning Model in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Master's Program

In fall 2010, the Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research administered a survey to explore the impact of student-led applied projects on client organizations and the local community. The survey is the second part of a community impact study of the Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (NLM) at the University of San Diego. The survey was distributed to client organizations during the 2010-2011 academic year to assess client organization satisfaction and successful use of the projects. The survey investigated whether applied projects had an impact on the organization’s operations or the community, and if so, to …

Research Project For Rokenbok Educational Foundation, Brian Becker-Tirrill, Paul Eichen, Stefanie Kurtz-Harris, Jennifer Tracy

Program Design and Evaluation

Research project on Equipo de Ingenieros en Accion (Team of Engineers in Action), a collaborative program of Rokenbok Educational Foundation and Center for Academic and Social Advancement.

Research Project On The Kidney Trust: A Chronic Kidney Disease Self-Management Program, Casey Mckinley, Janine Mason, Lina Park, Sue Pyke

Program Design and Evaluation

Class research project for LEAD 500: Research Design and Evaluation. This project includes a needs assessment, program design and methodology, social marketing, cultural competency, evaluation and budget.

Natural High Prevention Platform: A Search-Based, Substance Abuse Prevention Program For Sundt Memorial Foundation, Jennifer Martin, Kay Costilow, Rose Baxter, Maureen Guarcello

Program Design and Evaluation

Research project for Sundt Memorial Foundation on Natural High Prevention Platform: a research-based, substance abuse prevention program.

Words Alive Standards For Excellence Performance Audit, Brian Becker, Jason Jarvinen, Lina Park, Melinda Wilkes

Program Design and Evaluation

Student project for LEAD 501: Fundamentals of Nonprofits on Words Alive, a literacy organization that promotes reading for pleasure for children and adolescents through read-aloud programs and book groups.

The Executive Director, Jennifer Williamson, and the board agreed that a performance audit will help the organization reach the next level of compliance and professionalism. The evaluation team (the team) suggested the Standard for Excellence (Standards) because of its thoroughness, design, and detail to mission. Standards was preferred by the team because it was more comprehensive than other suggested evaluation tools such as the Better Business Bureau or the Independent Sector. …

2009 Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report, Heather Carpenter, Paula Krist

USD Evaluation of Applied Learning Model in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Master's Program

Student learning outcomes and student satisfaction of nonprofit management graduate degree programs have received much attention recently from researchers. However, little research examines the community impact of such programs.

This paper reports findings from a community impact study of the Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at the University of San Diego. An extensive qualitative study was conducted to determine whether student-led applied projects conducted for nonprofit organizations had an impact on those organizations, and if so, to assess the type and duration of that impact. A key finding was that all organizations that were interviewed for the …

2008 Alumni Perspectives: Evaluation Of The Nonprofit Leadership And Management Masters Program, Linda Seifert, Heather Carpenter

USD Evaluation of Applied Learning Model in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Master's Program

In Spring 2008 the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit Research, along with the SOLES Director of Assessment, completed an alumni survey. The survey focused on how well the Nonprofit Leadership and Management program learning outcomes prepared the alumni for their professional roles, how those roles may have changed as a result of their preparation, their level of satisfaction with the various components of the program, and their perspectives on their current involvement with the program. All 65 alumni of the program were invited to participate in the survey.

Wetlands Restoration Group Final Research Project, Ofelia Alvarado, John Bolthouse, Christina Rivas, Karen Seo, Mark Thompson

Program Design and Evaluation

Research project for the Wetland Restoration and Education project that was developed for the YMCA Camp Surf.

Education And Integration: Partnering The Community With Adults With Developmental Disabilities For St. Madeline Sophia's Center, Patty Cowan, Kelly Mitchell, Wendy Morris, Ileana Ovalle

Program Design and Evaluation

Student research project for St. Madeline Sophia's Center which includes a needs assessment, program design & methodology, social marketing plan, cultural competency plan, evaluation plan and budget.