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Strategic Learning, Research and Evaluation invites curiosity about what it takes to realize the ideals of our mission and values. We bring an equity lens to all evaluative thinking. We seek and hold a line of sight from data to insights to actions, with the intent to advance equitable processes and outcomes in and for communities in which the foundation invests. Our work includes evaluation, strategic learning in partnership with grantmakers, and equity-focused organizational learning. Our approach speaks to a dual focus on learning and accountability to the partners and communities we seek to serve.
Established in 2015, Kresge’s strategic learning, research and evaluation practice was charged with growing our “knowledge endowment” – to codify what we are learning about our funding by drawing on the full suite of philanthropic tools, including evaluation and thought leadership – to advance urban opportunity and to enliven our values. We have an enduring commitment to transparency and to orienting our efforts toward greater ownership among our nonprofit partners and communities.
Each of our funding strategies is guided by a racial equity lens and complemented with a theory of change and strategic learning questions. Our learning and evaluation team works in partnership with our programmatic staff to advance the goals of our grantmaking and social investment strategies.
We match our evaluative approaches with the goals of our grantmaking strategies. We often need to learn – and unlearn – in real-time so that we can act with the urgency that our strategies demand. Our approach is rigorous – we seek to understand deeply the context in which work is happening – and bring a mixed-methods approach. Our efforts include developmental, formative and summative evaluation.
We believe in the power of convening and communities of practice to connect learning with action. Within Kresge, this includes developing and facilitating staff and team retreats, hosting regular departmental forums and stewarding organization-wide equity change efforts. With our nonprofit partners and philanthropic peers, we join in communities of practice and partner on the design and delivery of learning meetings and events. We invite experts in equal measure among all participants, because we know that insights and innovation come in many forms and from many voices.
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