Rigorous Evaluation Versus Trust-Based Learning: Is This a Valid Dichotomy?
Social change takes time, and it is never a linear process. It also happens within an ecosystem, and rarely comes down to a single grantee partner or foundation. If we are honest, change is entirely out of a foundation’s control. Despite all of this, funders continue to engage in evaluation as if the precision and volume of what we ask from grantees will improve our giving, and help improve lives.