Funder recommendations: evidence on importance plus tips for starting and sustaining initiatives¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The document is explicitly written as guidance for funders and intermediaries: "This document contains recommendations for funders and other intermediaries looking to support similar strategic learning work." It pairs "evidence on the importance of strategic learning work" with "concrete tips for starting and sustaining a successful initiative."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Funders or intermediaries intending to launch a strategic learning capacity-building initiative similar to the CBSL pilot.

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• Funders and intermediary organizations

Target Learning Goals¶

• Designing and sustaining strategic learning capacity-building initiatives

Affordances¶

• Equity Centered Strategic Learning Definition

Related Strategies¶

• Funders use structured self-reflection to focus place-based systems change investments
• Engage a learning partner to support funders and grantees in designing and carrying out a learning plan and building M&E capacity
• Four-part capacity-building support model: scoping, provider matching, cohort learning, and thought partnership
• Intermediary-led grantee cohort model with four support components
• Start R&D without a formal office: a single school initiative paired with strategic research support can yield meaningful change

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Emily Gardner, Emma Pottinger, Ramya Tallapragada, Alexandra Resch, Virginia Knechtel. (2021). Capacity Building for Strategic Learning Using an Intermediary-Led Grantee Cohort Model: Recommendations for Funders. Mathematica. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/capacity-building-for-strategic-learning-using-an-intermediary-led-grantee-cohort-model