Ask Better Questions: Introducing the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank
Every nonprofit is driven by a mission to create meaningful change. Your team shows up every day, runs programs, and serves your community with dedication. But here’s the big question: how do you know if your programs are producing the results you hope for?
It’s a question that every nonprofit leader wrestles with at some point.
You might track outputs, like attendance at events, number of workshops delivered, or services provided. While these numbers are important, they don’t tell the whole story.
Without the right questions, you may never fully understand what’s working, what needs improvement, or how to grow your programs in ways that truly benefit your community.
This is why program evaluation matters, and why asking the right questions is essential.
Why Questions Are the Heart of Evaluation Design
Evaluation isn’t just about accountability or reporting to funders. It’s about discovery. It’s about learning, adapting, and improving. At its core, evaluation is a tool that helps nonprofits refine their programs, make informed decisions, and ensure their resources are being used effectively.
But here’s the challenge many organizations face: they track activities and outputs because it’s easy, not because it tells the story of real results. For instance:
You might ask, How many people attended our workshop? This tells you reach, but not whether participants gained skills or knowledge.
You might ask, How many meals were distributed? This shows quantity but not whether the meals improved participants’ nutrition or quality of life.
Instead, the questions that provide true insights are deeper and more reflective:
What did participants learn that they didn’t know before?
How have participants applied what they learned in their daily lives?
Which aspects of the program were most helpful, and why?
These kinds of questions help you move beyond counting activities to understanding outcomes. They give you actionable information to strengthen your programs and support better decision-making.
Common Challenges in Program Evaluation
Many nonprofit leaders face the same hurdles when it comes to evaluation:
Not knowing where to start. Evaluation can feel overwhelming, especially if your team doesn’t have a background in research or data collection.
Focusing on outputs instead of results. It’s easier to measure what you did rather than what changed.
Limited resources. Many nonprofits don’t have staff dedicated to evaluation, so the process can feel like an added burden.
Unclear questions. Even when organizations want to evaluate, they often struggle to frame questions in ways that yield useful answers.
They don’t seek support. They may not seek support. You can’t know what you don’t know, don’t hesitate to consult evaluation experts to ensure your approach is effective and your results are meaningful.
The good news is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. With the right tools and guidance, you can overcome these obstacles and build an evaluation process that works for your organization.
Introducing the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank
To address these challenges, we created the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank. This practical, ready-to-use template is designed to help you ask the right questions at every stage of your program.
The Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank provides:
A library of thoughtful, adaptable questions that can be used for surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other evaluation methods. You can use them as inspiration to get you started, customizing them for your audience and purpose. They should be customized for the type of method you are using for your project.
Guidance on framing questions so you get clear, actionable responses.
Examples for different types of programs, from educational workshops to service delivery programs.
With this template, you’ll no longer struggle to figure out what to ask. Instead, you can focus on gathering insights and using them to improve your programs.
How to Use the Question Bank
The Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank is designed to be flexible and easy to use. Here’s how you can make it work for your nonprofit:
Start with your program goals. Before you ask any questions, clarify what your program is intended to achieve. Are you trying to build skills, increase knowledge, improve wellbeing, or strengthen community connections? Your goals will guide which questions are most relevant.
Select questions from the bank that match your goals. The template is organized so you can quickly find questions for different outcomes, such as learning, behavior change, or satisfaction.
Adapt the questions to your context. You can customize wording depending on your method (quantitative or qualitative),, or tailor questions for different audiences while maintaining the intent of the question.
Analyze the answers and take action. Look for patterns, successes, and areas for improvement. Use what you learn to strengthen programs, adjust strategies, and make informed decisions.
Benefits of Using the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank
By using the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank, your nonprofit can:
Gain meaningful insights instead of surface-level data.
Strengthen program outcomes through evidence-based adjustments.
Demonstrate results clearly to staff, boards, and funders.
Save time and effort by starting with a library of ready-to-use questions.
Build a culture of learning within your organization, where evaluation informs growth rather than just reporting.
Real-World Example
Imagine a nonprofit running a youth mentorship program. Using the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank, they might ask:
What skills or knowledge did you gain from your mentor sessions?
Can you give an example of how you applied something you learned?
Which parts of the mentorship program were most helpful, and why?
These questions reveal insights that attendance numbers or session counts cannot. The organization might discover that certain activities are particularly effective, while others need adjustment—allowing them to improve the program for future participants.
Start Asking Better Questions Today
Program evaluation doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require hours of planning or specialized training. With the Nonprofit Evaluation Question Bank, you can start asking thoughtful, meaningful questions that help you learn, improve, and show the difference your nonprofit is making.
Disclaimer: This question bank is a guide, not a complete evaluation solution. Survey design and evaluation methodology are complex, and effective use of these questions requires careful consideration of your context, community, goals, and data collection strategies. We recommend consulting evaluation experts or additional resources to ensure rigorous and meaningful results.