We are a team of evaluators and funders that believe there is a moral imperative for the philanthropic sector to design and implement evaluations that actively contribute to equity. In not doing so, philanthropic evaluation practices risk reinforcing or even exacerbating the inequities philanthropic change initiatives seek to address.
Over the last decade, the philanthropic sector has turned critical attention to the role that philanthropy can and should play in promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in order to realize meaningful and credible outcomes. Partnerships across the sector have invested significant resources in lifting up and investigating definitions, policies, and practices in their operations and grantmaking practices.
Evaluation approaches and the related methods and tools have yet to receive this same level of scrutiny within the sector. While evaluation is often considered to be neutral, it is, in fact, inherently biased by history, context, and culture. Evaluation merits the same level of focus and has the ability to be a tool in service of equity as well as a means to understand and document progress towards equity.
Through exploratory interviews, a framing paper and set of examples, and one-day convening in August 2017, the Equitable Evaluation Project will:
Document what equity programming looks like in practice
Identify current practice in the evaluation of equity programming
Develop insights, principles, and recommendations for effective equitable evaluation
Identify areas where further development of the field’s thinking, capacity, and commitment is needed
Our goal is that funders and evaluators commit to equitable evaluation, particularly those engaged in equity efforts.
Equitable evaluation requires a commitment to three principles.
Interviews and conversations to date have provided valuable insights into why lifting up equitable evaluation is necessary and timely.
“Equitable evaluation requires funders to understand the current and historical context of equity and social justice in communities where grants are made and the implications of this on outcomes. If approached comprehensively, it also works to mitigate the power imbalance in the funder-grantee relationship.”
Check out some of the best theory articles and tools identified through our research.
The Project Team is available to have 1:1 conversations and to facilitate team or organizational conversations on the issue. Please get in touch.