ELMA is committed to using evidence to transform policy and practice
Our Evidence & Learning (E&L) practice seeks to assess and improve the social returns on our investments by both informing our own decision-making and influencing the policy and practice of the field — including of grantees, governments, other funders, and key stakeholders.
We invest in different forms of evaluation at different stages of a program. What is most crucial is that evaluations are fit-for-purpose — meaning that the purpose, use, and users of an evaluation inform its design, resourcing, and timing.
We emphasize the judicious use of resources and prioritize the evaluation of investments that are strategically important and/or that have the potential to influence policy, funding, and practice. This in turn requires a strong commitment to using and sharing evidence generated from evaluations, as well as a process that is collaborative and consultative with internal and external stakeholders.
Our approach to E&L
E&L at ELMA is guided by a set of principles that aim to enhance the impact of philanthropic investments across the ELMA Group of Foundations.
1. Evidence can take many forms.
2. Evidence should be forward-looking and prioritize decision making and learning.
3. We prioritize evidence for grant investments that are large and/or strategically important and where evidence has the potential to influence policy, funding, and practice.
4. Plans for evidence-gathering should be fit for purpose and right-sized.
5. Evidence generation must be collaborative and consultative.
6. ELMA is committed to using and sharing evidence.
Click here to learn more about our E&L Principles & Practice >
E&L highlights
