Capturing General Operating Support Effectiveness: An Evaluation Framework for Funders and Evaluators

Data show that general operating support is on the rise. Yet foundations and evaluators alike need to better understand how to measure the impact of these grants.

In this briefing paper, TCC Group reflects on its work evaluating general operating support and provides a comprehensive outcomes framework that maps out four key dimensions of success to effectively measure general operating grants; a comprehensive list of potential outcomes within these four dimensions; elements to determine a nonprofit or foundation’s readiness to receive or aware GOS (respectively); and a decision tree to guide funders that may consider providing general support.