Search Results

event Dec 2020

American Evaluation Association (2020)

CEI staff presented at the virtual American Evaluation Association conference in October 2020.

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

presentation May 2020

Why is Evaluation So White?

In this presentation, Vidhya Shanker, PhD, and Carolina De La Rosa Mateo, MPH, explore how the field of evaluation has approached race, the implications of that approach, and the promise of generative networks to amplify the work of evaluators who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Color (IBPOC), as illustrated by one such network recently formed in Minnesota.

By Carolina De La Rosa Mateo, Vidhya Shanker

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.

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

publication Jan 2018

Addendum to On the Other Side of Complexity: The McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program

This addendum makes clarifications to the teaching case of The McKnight Foundation's Collaborative Crop Research Program and its evaluation. It adds detail on the program's developmental evaluation.

publication Sep 2017

On the Other Side of Complexity: The McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program

Under the direction of a new president, The McKnight Foundation embarked on a process to imbue learning at every level of one of its signature international programs: the Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP). This teaching case explores the creation, implementation, and ongoing refinement of an evaluation and learning approach for CCRP from 2008 to 2017. 

publication May 2017

Systems Change Evaluation Forum

Complex systems change efforts create practical challenges for evaluation. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation convened their full staff and a group of external evaluators who work in philanthropy for a Systems Change Evaluation Forum. This report provides observations, tools, approaches, and advice for addressing systems evaluation challenges.

By Tanya Beer

publication Jul 2015

Strategy Design Amid Complexity: Tools for Designing and Implementing Adaptive Funding Strategies

Foundations need processes and tools to create and implement adaptive strategies while also addressing the core dilemmas these strategies create. This Foundation Review article offers tools to help foundations design adaptive strategies, and ideas for balancing accountability with adaptability. 

By Tanya Beer

publication Jul 2014

A Practical Guide to Evaluating Systems Change in a Human Services System Context

A consensus has grown in the public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors that we must use systems change approaches to effectively address society’s most intractable challenges. Evaluating systems change efforts can be messy, if not outright overwhelming. This guide offers a pragmatic framework. 

publication Jul 2014

First Among Equals: The Evaluation of the McConnell Foundation Social Innovation Generation Initiative

This teaching case explores both the real and potential evaluation of a foundation strategy focused on social innovation in Canada. 

publication Jul 2014

The State of Network Evaluation: Framing Paper

Many in the social-change sector are recognizing the potential power of networks for achieving social change. But how do you evaluate them? This paper examines the field’s thinking on network evaluation frameworks, approaches, and tools.

By Julia Coffman