Centering nonprofit
development and evaluation in
community, justice and dignity.
A continuation of the work of Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
Introducing a book for individuals who want to make the world a better place.
Writings
For 35+ years, Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D., has been producing evidence- based tools to help nonprofits, foundations, and others working in social justice, to strengthen the work they’re doing, and providing methods for program evaluation. Some of his best publications and blog posts relating to that work are available on this website.
THEME –
PHILANTHROPIC EFFECTIVENESS: YOUR OWN AND OTHERS’
We can make good things happen with our excess wealth (we all have some), but we can do better. We can support the missions of nonprofit organizations that know how to make progress in strengthening communities, fixing broken–down systems, and supporting individuals. Some of our examples of “philanthropic effectiveness” are addressed to people working in such organizations, and others are written for people like you.
THEME –
EVALUATION
We all like to think that contributions – our own or others – help make the world a better place. But how can we know? You can size up (“measure”) the chances your gift will help before you decide Yes or No to a request for your support. But many of our Writings evaluate progress made after the gift has been received. A mix of methods is used, revealing the challenge of learning something that informs next–level efforts.
THEME –
JUSTICE
Justice here means fairness. Or at least, making honest efforts to increase the level of fairness that more and more people are allowed to experience. It’s the “honest efforts” that get attention here in our Writings.
THEME –
COMMUNITY
Everyone wants to use their skills to expand their opportunities for surviving, thriving, and living safe and gratifying lives. Not just their own opportunities but their family’s and community’s. Here are inspiring examples of community development efforts made successful by ordinary people, leaders, organizers, grantmakers, donors, and nonprofit managers.
New Book Offer
How To Save
The World
Evaluating Your Choices
When to say Yes to requests to Donate Now
Recognizing that impactful change sometimes begins with the work of one person, Dr. Mayer has now created a blueprint for individual donors who want to make a difference but want to know more about evaluating their options.
It will also be relevant for those staffing and leading institutional foundations and nonprofits.
About Steve
By young adulthood, the future Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D., had developed a keen interest in social justice and community change, and a strong desire to make the world a better place. In college he was hired by a social science think tank in Washington, D.C., where he was introduced to approaches to organizational assessment. This experience, and exposure to the principles of social reform as experiments, inspired him later to pivot from academia to his eventual career as a thought leader in effective, evidence-based program evaluation for philanthropic and humanitarian-focused organizations. The author and educator has evaluated programs for large and small foundations and nonprofits throughout the US and beyond, taught at major universities, and recently turned to supporting individuals learning to delve into impactful community development and social justice. Read on to learn more about his work and how it applies to positive local outcomes and system change – from grassroots community organizing efforts to large-scale equity building change.