Sectors

Foundations

Turning data, evidence, and learning into lasting impact.

We partner with foundations and grantees to strengthen communities and drive lasting, evidence-based social change.

Working at the intersection of strategy, evaluation, and technology, we help maximize the impact of philanthropic efforts by strengthening data and learning systems that support action. Our approach helps foundations and their partners modernize these systems, integrate advanced analytics, and responsibly govern AI, while refining programs based on results and generating rigorous evidence to inform decision-making. To amplify learning, we bring together stakeholders and communities of practice to foster collaboration around shared challenges.

Through this work, philanthropy partners gain access to deep expertise, trusted networks, and practical technical support—spanning data platforms, data governance, analytics, evaluation, and program management—to scale what works and adapt as conditions change.

Organizations We’ve Served

MacArthur Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Walton Family Foundation
American Public Human Services Association
Missouri Foundation for Health

Foundations and their grantees count on us to:

Bring evidence and learning to strategy design and refinement.
Develop theories of change, results frameworks, and learning agendas to identify clear goals and measure progress.
Create systems that monitor and measure program performance to enable progress tracking.
Provide technical assistance to build measurement, learning, and evaluation capacity.
Use rapid-cycle evaluation and other real-time learning approaches to enable continuous program improvement.
Conduct rigorous research and generate evidence to grow the knowledge base.
Lead learning workshops and convenings to link evidence to strategy and practice.

How we help foundations and grantees use evidence to increase their impact

 
Support Strategy and Program Design
We uncover and provide new insights to inform and shape foundation strategies and program designs.
 
  • Systematic evidence review
  • Landscape assessments
  • Theories of change
  • Learning agendas
  • Predictive analytics
  • Manage grant initiatives
 
Facilitate Continuous Program Improvement
We support measurement and learning to inform foundation and grantee decision-making.
 
  • MEL frameworks
  • Performance measurement and dashboard
  • Evidence-based TA
  • Grant capacity-building
  • Developmental evaluation
  • Rapid-cycle evaluation
  • Portfolio reviews
 
Generate Credible Evidence to Advance Knowledge
We conduct tailored evaluations that help to identify effective solutions.
 
  • Impact evaluation
  • Strategy/portfolio evaluation
  • Implementation evaluation
  • Systems change evaluation
  • Advocacy evaluation
  • Case studies
 
Translate and Disseminate Evidence to Guide Action
We leverage multiple learning and dissemination platforms to facilitate use of data and evidence.
 
  • Learning workshops and convenings
  • Communities of practice
  • Audience-focused products
  • Peer-reviewed publications
  • Multi-channel communication
 

Related Staff

Kristin Hallgren

Kristin Hallgren

Director of Human Services Foundations and Nonprofit Partnerships

View Bio Page
Deliya Banda Wesley

Deliya Banda Wesley

Senior Director, Community Impact

View Bio Page
Alyssa  Crawford

Alyssa Crawford

Director, Health Philanthropy Portfolio

View Bio Page
Solutions for Foundations

Let’s make progress together.

We offer foundations a full range of learning and evaluation services to strengthen program design and execution across the strategy life cycle.

Strategy Development

Strategy Development

Learn more
Learn more about Strategy Development
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Learn more
Learn more about Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Evaluation Design

Evaluation Design

Learn more
Learn more about Evaluation Design
Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance

Learn more
Learn more about Technical Assistance
Peer Learning and Workshops

Peer Learning and Workshops

Learn more
Learn more about Peer Learning and Workshops

CONTACT US

So we can help serve you better, please complete the form below. We will respond as soon as possible, usually within a few business days.