What is a warning sign for the grant writer when gathering information for the Evaluation Plan section?

A warning sign for the grant writer when gathering information for the Evaluation Plan section is the absence of previous evaluations conducted on programs at the applicant organization. This lack of prior evaluations indicates a potential gap in understanding how past programs were assessed, including what worked, what didn’t, and how outcomes were measured. Without historical data or evaluations available, it becomes challenging to establish a credible and robust evaluation plan that demonstrates the program's potential effectiveness and areas of improvement. Evaluators and funding bodies often look for a foundation of previous assessments to build upon, as it provides insights into the program's impact and the organization’s capacity for evaluation.

In contrast, feedback from previous grant reviews would typically serve as valuable insights to improve future proposals, while strong community support is usually viewed positively as it indicates stakeholder buy-in and can enhance the proposal's credibility. Established measurement tools signify readiness and robustness in evaluating the program, which is essential for a convincing evaluation plan.