insight Aug 2020

Dr. Chera Reid is the New Leader of the Evaluation Roundtable

Chera takes over the Roundtable’s leadership at a pivotal time in its evolution. Going forward, the Evaluation Roundtable will focus on organizing participants to influence the philosophy and norms of practice in philanthropy so that evaluation and learning help to advance racial equity and justice.

insight Aug 2020

Can Foundations Radically Transform How They Learn?

In 2020, we are seeing some fundamental shifts in how foundations are operating and attempting to learn. How might we use our experience right now to understand something new about the organizational and sector conditions that are necessary to make real and honest learning and adaptation possible and in service to equity?

By Tanya Beer, Julia Coffman, Jane Reisman, Ben Liadsky, Andrew Taylor

presentation Jul 2020

Re-Thinking How We Work with Boards on Evaluation and Learning

Most board room routines are based on the mental model that social change is a technocratic problem-solving endeavor. So we incentivize and reward staff who project a degree of certainty about how social change happens that's just not real because the change process is much more complex.

By Tanya Beer

insight Jun 2020

It’s Time to Let Go of Tired Narratives about Talent in Evaluation

Social sector conversations about talent often focus on increasing diversity, building skillsets, and improving hiring and management. But to solve tough social problems, we need to let go of tired narratives about talent and work together to dismantle oppression in the evaluation field.

By Clare Nolan

insight Jun 2020

We stand with our Black colleagues, friends, and loved ones

It is our responsibility to try to mend the damage we and our profession have wrought, and to work with others to rethink evaluation’s purpose and positioning in the sector so that it advances equity instead of helps to keep inequity rooted in place.

By Tanya Beer, Mariah Brothe Gantz, Kat Athanasiades, Julia Coffman, Albertina Lopez

publication Mar 2020

Smart Decision-Making

Even when evidence is available in the social sector, it is rarely used. A number of tools and tactics can help us become savvier consumers of information.

By Ian David Moss, Julia Coffman, Tanya Beer

presentation Feb 2020

Performance Measurement for Emergent and Complex Strategies [Webinar]

Learn about four types of strategies—niche, integrated, emergent, and ecosystem—and the types of performance measurement and accountability systems best suited to each.

By Alnoor Ebrahim

publication Feb 2020

Upcoming Changes for the Evaluation Roundtable

The Evaluation Roundtable's goal, model, and leadership will be changing in 2020.

By Julia Coffman

publication Jan 2020

Benchmarking Foundation Evaluation Practices 2020

What does foundation evaluation look like today? Is it adapting to meet the changing needs of the sector and society?

By Tanya Beer, Mariah Brothe Gantz, Kat Athanasiades, Julia Coffman, Albertina Lopez

insight Dec 2019

The Realm of Possibility in Evaluation

It is possible to get more from evaluation, and it starts by challenging our own habits.

By Mariah Brothe Gantz

insight Oct 2019

How Leaders Affect Evaluation Capacity Building in Foundations

Regardless of intent, foundation leaders can substantially harm or strengthen evaluation capacity building in their organizations. We can add value if we know how and why.

By Albertina Lopez

insight Oct 2019

Funders are from Mars, Consultants are from Venus

If we want evaluation to add real value to social change efforts, both funders and evaluation consultants have to re-examine their roles and how they relate.

By Julia Coffman