In traditional philanthropy, the foundation sets the metrics of success and requires the grantees to demonstrate that their work is meeting them. Headwaters Foundation takes a different approach to evaluation. We created a reporting process that centers learning together, positioning grantees and the foundation as true partners in the work to improve health in Western Montana.
Because of our trust-based approach to evaluation, Headwaters Foundation is continuously asked to present at the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) Learning conference. Earlier this year in Washington, DC, our team led a session, ‘Why the f#%k are we evaluating anyway?’ which offered conference attendees an opportunity to address uncomfortable questions about what philanthropy should or shouldn’t be doing around evaluation and explore new ideas for more equitable practices moving forward. (There was so much interest in this session that the doors had to be shut early! Clearly, the field of philanthropy is rethinking evaluation.) (author introduction)