Effective stakeholder engagement starts and ends with respect — respect for the expertise that those on the front lines bring to the problems affecting their community, and respect for their capacity to develop solutions if given the chance.
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we continue to assess and improve our learning and evaluation practices. It also provides a glossary of terms and basic background information to help ground us in common evaluation terminology and concepts.
Learning in philanthropy can happen in any number of ways — from traditional training programs and orientations for new staff to regular discussions among staff members, board members, grantees and grantmakers about how things are going and how to get better results.
Why Do Funders Work with Intermediaries?
What is Strategic Co-Funding?
Grantmakers increasingly are turning to general operating support to ensure that nonprofits have the resources they need to achieve their goals. However, many grantmakers still have reservations about shifting more of support for grantees into the unrestricted column.
How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to deliver on their missions when many of them are struggling just to stay afloat? How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to perform effectively when they don’t have the funds they need to invest in decent salaries, technology and other infrastructure?
SVP Seattle engages volunteer and paid consultants to help “investees” make the most of capacity-building grants.
Southern California grantmaker makes the switch to core support for majority of grants.
Washington, D.C. grantmaker combines large, multiyear investments in youth-serving organizations with consulting and other support.
Arkansas grantmaker supports nonprofit networks to promote field wide learning.
Denver-area United Way embraces need to strengthen the capacity of organizations and communities to measure impact and learn from results.