• Evaluating mentor programs fosters program growth.Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
  
  Measuring the outcomes of your mentor program provides information such as the program's effectiveness, public and internal perceptions, financial sustainability and leadership strength. This information enables you to identify issues, create new program strategies, increase participation and satisfaction, as well as secure grant and donor funding.
  
  According to GuideStar, a philanthropic research firm, a 2010 survey of charitable organizations found that reducing services and activities was the most common solution to achieving a balanced budget. Without the proper tools for measuring your mentor program's outcomes, you will lack the insight needed for future growth and success.
  
  

Self-Assessment

• An evaluation team conducts a self-assessment.Three office workers image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
  
  Conduct a self-assessment. To develop and complete the assessment, create an evaluation team. This team might include staff, members of your board of directors, volunteers and program beneficiaries. The number of evaluation team members will depend on the size of your mentor program.
  
  Discuss the reason for measuring the outcomes of your mentor program, such as program efficiency, funding and future growth. As a group, ask and answer questions relating to the current effectiveness of your mentor program. This self-assessment will provide an internal perception to compare to the external perceptions collected through additional measurement tools.
  
  

Surveys

• Ask mentors to complete a written survey.writing image by Petro Feketa from Fotolia.com
  
  Administer written surveys or questionnaires to program participants including mentors and mentees. Your surveys should address both program perceptions and program outcomes. For example, you want to measure the satisfaction level of participants, which is perception based. You also want to measure tangible outcomes including student grade improvement and student drop-out rates.
  
  According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are a variety of existing measurement tools for conducting surveys and questionnaires. Advantages of using existing tools include a standardization of information and outcome measurement. However, existing surveys and questionnaires may not address the specifics of your mentor program. You may choose to combine existing tools with questions created by your evaluation team to develop a comprehensive measurement tool.
  
  

Interviews

• Conduct phone interviews to get personal interaction.call-center image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
  
  Conduct interviews of program participants. You may choose to conduct interviews in person, by phone or via instant message. Interviews are similar to written surveys and questionnaires with regard to the type of information collected. However, interviews allow you to probe further for more information, plus they enable participants to ask questions and get clarification.
  
  Interviewers are an integral part of this measurement tool and need to be trained. Depending on the size and scope of your evaluation, this may mean hiring an outside research firm.