Oct 21, 2025
In episode 134 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton welcomes guest Kayla Meyers, founder of Bridgepoint Evaluation, for a conversation about reimagining program evaluation in nonprofits.
They discuss:
-
Why evaluation is not an audit or judgment as it has sometimes been in the past
-
It should be a collaborative, curiosity-driven process that opens communication, supports learning, and improves impact.
-
How to create right-sized, useful evaluation practices rooted in strategy and driven by purpose.
-
How evaluation can be a force for good—helping organizations tell fuller, more meaningful stories about their work and the communities they serve.
Episode highlights:
🚩 Evaluation’s Troubled History - [00:08:10]
❌ From Punitive to Collaborative - [00:13:10]
💡 Why Smaller Orgs Should Evaluate - [00:16:10]
🛠️ Start with Strategy - [00:19:10]
🔁 Formalizing Feedback Loops - [00:20:40]
🍽️ Make It Make Sense - [00:22:10]
🗣️ Turning Data Into Stories - [00:26:10]
❓The One Question Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask - [00:31:50]
Guest Bio:
Kayla (Mueller) Meyers is a seasoned program evaluator
with over a decade of experience in assessing and improving
programs for nonprofits and public organizations. She specializes
in evaluation capacity building and mixed-methods program
evaluation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her
clients
Important Links and Resources:
Bridgepoint Evaluation Newsletter
Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Be in Touch:
✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them
📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact
👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend
🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.
😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn