Strategic Grantmaking: How Can Evaluation Help Grantmakers Think Forward? (GivingData)

Over time, the utility of grant evaluations has deepened from simple accountability to outcomes measurement—from demonstrating that funds were used in the intended manner, to determining whether or not they achieved the intended results. But what if evaluation could also help grantmakers determine what to invest in, and when? These questions are of particular importance in times of change and uncertainty when many are rethinking their strategies.

Two evaluators and one grantmaker show you how it can. In this session, presenters share concrete examples from their own work using evaluation data and methodologies to guide programmatic strategy and determine the future of both pilot initiatives and well-established programs. They also reflect on how these approaches can be adapted to the current circumstances. Participants will leave understanding how they can incorporate evaluation into their strategic planning and program design decisions.

This session was sponsored by GivingData.

Speakers

Evgenia Valuy
​Evaluation and Learning Lead, Institute of International Education

Olga Vnodchenko
​Grants and Program Officer, Seattle International Foundation

Lisa Frantzen
Senior Consultant, Evaluation and Learning, TCC Group