Shifting From ‘Evaluation’ to Valuing: A Six-Year Example of Philanthropic Practice Change and Knowledge Development

Philanthropy has reached an exciting moment where conversations about evaluation are giving way to broader notions of learning itself as a strategic philanthropic investment. Evaluation is recognized as important, and yet not the only learning needed – particularly within complex social- and policy-change efforts.  This article explores five knowledge-development trajectories at one family foundation and includes tools for informing both operations and program strategy.