Evaluations and Lessons Learned from our Grantmaking— A Series

Evaluations and Lessons Learned from our Grantmaking

Evaluations and Lessons Learned from our Grantmaking is a web-based series produced by the Foundation that allows Cal Wellness’ staff, grantees and contractors to share lessons learned and information gleaned from our grantmaking programs and strategies.

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Policy Change Ten Years in the Making: Evaluation of The California Wellness Foundation’s Decade of Public Policy Grantmaking

Published in November 2014 by MastersPolicyConsulting, this is an evaluation of The California Wellness Foundation’s public policy grantmaking under the 14-year Responsive Grantmaking Program (RGP), which concluded in September 2014. From its inception, Cal Wellness has recognized the importance of supporting advocacy and public policy activities in order to improve the health of Californians, particularly those living in low-income communities.

MastersPolicyConsulting thoroughly examined the RGP’s nine portfolios and analyzed findings across the grants program for common themes. Among its key findings was that, over the life of the RGP, Cal Wellness had a positive impact on public policy at three levels:

1. The Foundation helped seed, stabilize and grow individual advocacy organizations.
2. It led and supported efforts to build new fields and enhance them.
3. It contributed in a variety of ways to the successful enactment and implementation of large and narrow public policy changes. The continuum of contributions exemplified the different ways in which a foundation can support public policy change.

 

• To access the entire report, click here.
• To access the appendix, click here.
  

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Archive of Evaluations and Lessons Learned

Policy Change Ten Years in the Making: Evaluation of The California Wellness Foundation’s Decade of Public Policy Grantmaking 2014 (PDF) Mission-Focused Funding Supporting Nonprofit Sustainability in the Tumult of a Recession 2012 (PDF) Capacity Building for Minority-Led and Minority-Serving Organizations 2011 An Evaluation of Five Years of The California Wellness Foundation’s Sabbatical Program 2009 (PDF)

The California Wellness Foundation’s Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative: Accomplishments, Challenges and Lessons Learned 2007 Violence Prevention Initiative Community Action Program Chronicles 2003 Health Improvement Initiative Final Evaluation Report 2003 The Impact of VPI Leadership Programs 2003 The Policy and Public Education Program of The California Youth Violence Prevention Initiative 2003

Summary of the Evaluation of The California Wellness Foundations Work and Health Initiative 2003 (PDF) Violence Prevention Initiative 2003 Children and Youth Community Health Initiative 2002 Health Improvment Initiative 2002 An Approach To Evaluations 2002 Work and Health Initiative 2002

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Grants Program Survey

Included in this section are t he results of confidential surveys that are conducted every few years of Cal Wellness’ grantees and those declined funding.

Archive of Grants Program Survey

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Links to evaluation-themed editions of Reflections, a series produced by Cal Wellness to share lessons learned and information gleaned from its grantmaking practices and strategies

A recent edition of Reflections is the executive summary of an evaluation we commissioned from Harder+Company titled “Grantmaking That Lasts: Key Findings of The California Wellness Foundation's Responsive Grantmaking Program.”

Reflections on Grantmaking That Lasts: Key Findings of The California Wellness Foundation's Responsive Grantmaking Program

Reflections on Sustainability—Assessing the Long-Term Impact of Three TCWF Initiatives Reflections On TCWF‘s Responsive Grantmaking Program

Reflections on TCWF’s Violence Prevention Initiative Reflections on Evaluating our Grants

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