Non-Profit Research
Greater Chicago Food Depository Member Agency Needs Assessment
The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) serves over 500 agencies that use Food Depository food to feed thousands of needy families in Chicago. The Survey Lab conducted interviews and observations in a sample of food pantries and congregant meal programs across the city of Chicago and Cook County suburbs to help the Food Depository to assess the operational needs of these food service programs. We developed a data collection system for their continuing use.
- See also our study: Food Insecurity Among Chicago's Elderly
Lyric Opera of Chicago
In order to better understand what members want to hear performed, Lyric Opera commissioned the University of Chicago Survey Lab to conduct a mail survey of their audience members. This was our second survey for Lyric Opera. Their staff provided the questions and the sampling frame. We developed a sampling design, stratifying by type of ticket holder (full-series season versus single ticket holder, for example). When the response rates for single ticket holders and lapsed subscribers were lower than desired, we developed an electronic (PDF) copy of the questionnaire and emailed it to the respondents in these strata. Working with NSIT, we are now able to program PDF surveys in addition to our Web-based surveys.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Family Childcare Impact Study
In 2002-2003, the Survey Lab conducted a study of in-home day care providers in Chicago. This study sought to evaluate the effect of membership in formal and informal support networks on the quality of care given by in-home day care providers. The Survey lab conducted in-person interviews with personnel in the network agencies and voluntary associations. We then conducted evaluations of their member day care providers using a validated rating scale to assess their quality. We also observed a control group of providers who do not belong to either type of organization and were matched on key characteristics such as race, education, years of experience and neighborhood type. We are currently working with a childcare expert to conduct the data analysis.
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) contracted with the Survey Lab to conduct a survey to learn how and when African-American high school seniors obtain information about college financial aid. The Survey Lab consulted on the survey format. UNCF staff administered a paper survey (via mail/group administration at schools) to 1062 African-American students in 14 schools across five states in four regions of the country. The Survey Lab entered data from these forms, then conducted a phone interview with the parents of the students who participated in the study to determine whether students and parents obtain financial aid information in similar or dissimilar ways.
