Evaluation Support Accounts

An Evaluation Support Account (ESA) is where a funder pays for funded organisations to get evaluation support.  An ESA can include:

• Free access to ESS’s practical evaluation workshops
• Tailored support for project staff and, if appropriate, volunteers and trustees to design evaluation systems or analyse evaluation information
• Telephone helpline for quick discussion of ideas
• Support to reflect on learning
• E-mail feedback on evaluation action plans and reports

Feedback from funders and funded organisations shows that ESAs

1. Improve organisations’ ability to set outcomes
2. Improve their evaluation systems
3. Improve their reporting to funders
4. Help them apply successfully for funding from other funders

Listed below are organisations with current and past ESAs:

• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Corra Foundation (formerly known as Lloyds TSB Foundation)
• RS MacDonald Charitable Trust
• Go for it Fund
• Paul Hamlyn Foundation – see Roma Youth Project case study here
• Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and LaidlawYouth Trust
• Community Food and Health Scotland
• The Health and Social Care Alliance (previously known as Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland)
• Paths for All
• Inspiring Scotland
• Climate Challenge Fund
• The Robertson Trust