Remmer and Pine present on evaluation at CSF

Ellen Remmer and Leslie Pine presented at the Conference of Southwest Foundations 63rd Annual Conference October 20-22, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, NV.

Their session, Using Evaluation to Inform Foundation Strategy looked at the fundamental questions, “What can we be doing better or more in line with our mission?” and “How can we leverage greater impact?” The presentation was geared towards foundations seeking to move the needle on an important issue, catalyze change in a community or region, or achieve other ambitious goals.  A systematic framework was discussed, including how foundations can articulate or clarify philanthropic goals, theories of change, and strategies; identify and solicit input from key stakeholders and thought leaders; collect and analyze other data that can provide useful contextual information; analyze and synthesize both qualitative and quantitative data; and integrate findings and perspectives into a foundation’s process for reflection, revision, and renewal of key strategies and approaches to grantmaking.