With Pivot Data Design, Martena Reed of Reflect Evaluation and Jennifer Marsack are co-leading a project funded by Houston Endowment to build a learning community and strengthen evaluation capacity within the HiA network. The project is supported by a multidisciplinary team and employs a range of facilitation and learning techniques to respond to diverse learning styles and promote sustained knowledge and skill development.

Key Objectives

• Develop and manage an evaluation capacity strengthening program for 60+ nonprofit and grassroots organizations in the Houston area.
• Build HiA's internal and network-wide capacity for evaluation and evaluative thinking.
• Create a sustainability model for ongoing evaluation and capacity strengthening.
• Document lessons to inform the field of philanthropy on key considerations for large-scale evaluation capacity strengthening

Methodology

The project follows a three-phased approach: planning and design of the program and learning community, managing and facilitating the learning community, and planning for sustainability. Key activities include peer learning events, an asynchronous course, virtual and in-person workshops, 1:1 coaching, a culminating partner showcase, and an evaluation framework for HiA to track and assess network outcomes over time.

What We’re Learning

The project is enhancing the evaluation capabilities of HiA and its partners, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement. It is laying the groundwork for sustained capacity strengthening efforts.

Reflect Evaluation is conducting an evaluation of the Leaders for Just Schools (LJS) program, initiated in 2019 to develop leadership skills in educators with a focus on addressing systemic changes. The program aims to create a national network of educator equity leaders and train educators for local leadership roles. The evaluation is guided by the Kirkpatrick Model for evaluating leadership development, and intended to deepen NEA’s understanding of LJS participants’ contributions to policy and systemic change.

Key Objectives

• Assess LJS participants’ contributions to policy and systemic changes in education.
• Document and share success stories and outcomes qualitatively and quantitatively.

Methodology

The evaluation utilizes the Kirkpatrick Model for assessing training programs and employs a mixed-methods approach, including existing survey data analysis, outcome harvesting, and semi-structured journey mapping interviews. The focus is on capturing both individual and collective outcomes of the program.

Where We’re Going

This ongoing evaluation will highlight policy changes and school- and district-wide efforts to address inequity, documenting the contribution of LJS in fostering just and equitable educational environments.

Reflect Evaluation is partnering with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to develop an evaluation plan and provide technical assistance for the Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHEC). This project aims to enhance the capacity of RHECs to implement evaluations and understand the progress and outcomes of their work in promoting health equity.

Key Objectives

• Develop a comprehensive evaluation plan for OHA to track progress and outcomes of the RHEC strategy.
• Strengthen the evaluation capacity of RHEC members through training and technical assistance.
• Develop individualized evaluation toolkits for RHECs, including recommendations for culturally responsive and equitable data collection methods.

Methodology

The project seeks to enhance evaluation capacity and support sustainable evaluation practices for OHA and RHECs by:

• Conducting a comprehensive document and holding evaluative strengths interviews with OHA and RHEC members to build on existing learning practices and identify and recommend improvements in ongoing learning and evaluation practices.
• Using participatory workshops to inform creation of evaluation plans for OHA and RHECs that incorporate culturally responsive and region-specific considerations for data collection, and developing supplemental measurement instruments to address identified data collection gaps.
• Providing workshops and individualized technical assistance for RHECs to strengthen their evaluation capacity.
• Developing a data communication plan and visualized templates for RHEC members to report on the achievements and outcomes of their work in visually engaging and audience-specific ways.

Where We’re Going

This ongoing project is strengthening the evaluation capabilities of RHECs, enabling them to effectively measure and communicate their progress in advancing health equity. The evaluation plan and tools being developed will support RHECs in implementing sustainable and culturally responsive evaluation practices.

Reflect Evaluation is serving as the external evaluator for the Wellbeing Grants provided by The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Wellbeing Grants is a a new funding initiative that will support grant partners in prioritizing health and well-being of employees. The evaluation involves assessing the Foundation’s journey in designing and administering the Wellbeing Grants initiative, as well as how wellbeing grants  influence organizational practices and staff wellbeing within funded organizations.

Key Objectives

• Understand the design selection process for wellbeing grants, including how the strategy’s design evolves over time.
• Evaluate the implementation of wellbeing strategies.
• Document outcomes experienced by organizations, including staff morale, job satisfaction, productivity, and engagement.
• Inform the broader field of philanthropy on how foundations can support organizational wellbeing.

Methodology

The multi-year, mixed methods evaluation takes a developmental evaluation approach and includes document reviews, meeting observations, interviews, journey mapping, and surveys. The Reflect team uses data interpretation meetings and quarterly visual reports to facilitate continuous improvement and feedback throughout the project.

Where We’re Going

The ongoing evaluation is supporting the foundation and its grantee partners in making data-driven decisions that promote staff wellbeing and organizational transformation. By highlighting successful wellbeing strategies and their outcomes, the evaluation aims to provide valuable insights for other organizations and funders interested in supporting wellbeing initiatives.