Monitoring and Evaluation Services

As a fund manager, Tshikululu has an obligation to its client trusts to see that every rand they contribute is spent as effectively as possible. Likewise, Tshikululu has an obligation to optimise the positive social and economic developmental impact on end-user beneficiaries and communities. These dual obligations compel Tshikululu to be proactive about monitoring the performance of its programmes and evaluating their impact.

While monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is sometimes treated as a retrospective exercise, and as a matter of compliance, Tshikululu believes that evaluation principles should be integrated throughout the project cycle, from planning to implementation to programme review and reporting. Beneficiary organisations are required to submit M&E plans and programme performance monitoring targets at the outset of each grant year, collect performance data according to Tshikululu’s performance monitoring standards, and submit an annual narrative and statistical performance report. This information plays an essential role in helping both Tshikululu and the beneficiary organisation to design even more successful and impactful programming going forward.

Tshikululu’s programme staff visits most grant beneficiaries in the course of the programme year, providing managerial oversight, ensuring that programmes are being implemented in accordance with the trust’s strategy, and ‘ground-truthing’ results reported by partners.

Monitoring and evaluation activities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Monitoring site visits;
• Annual reporting;
• Knowledge sharing workshops with both donors and implementing partners;
• Grantee and corporate social investment client feedback surveys; and
• Evaluation of projects, programme and funding strategies.