Performance Evaluation in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): An Analysis of Evaluation Models and their Applications in Brazil

The objective of this article is to deepen the debate surrounding the practice of evaluation as performed by Brazilian NGOs. In order to accomplish this goal, we examined the results of an investigation conducted between 2007 and 2009 that had two stages: first, a national study and second, a quantitative and qualitative study made in the state of Santa Catarina. We also considered secondary sources of data from two important studies on the national level that were conducted in 2008 and 2009 by the Fonte Institute, with partnership of the Itaú Social Foundation. The results showed that most NGOs use internal rather than external evaluation and conduct evaluations focused on projects and programs. Furthermore, they used evaluation mainly to help decision making about projects. Consequently, the majority of NGOs focused their evaluations on results and were not concerned with creating spaces for self-reflection and learning.