The Black Collective Foundation MN has partnered with the Center for Evaluation Innovation with contributions by Philanthropy for Racial Equity (PRE) to release our first research report. Join them for a free online event on Tuesday, May 23th from 12:30 to 2:00pm.

The report integrates MN specific philanthropic data with voices across local philanthropy and Black-led change-makers exploring the definitions and impact of racial justice, Black-led change, and anti-Blackness. The report highlights local and national philanthropy’s investment in racial equity and justice to offer a baseline understanding of our funding landscape and center Black lives as we usher in a new kind of philanthropy that is accountable and inspired to be in power-shifting solidarity with Black-led change.  Register here.

Thank you to all of the Minnesota Evaluation Association (MNEA) members and our all volunteer board of directors who made 2022 a great year! The MNEA board of directors aimed to support our members, fellow board members, and the broader evaluation community (and adjacent/evaluation-curious colleagues) through a centering of reflexive practice to uplift connection, wellness, and rest; and I am really proud of how this was put into practice through the opportunities and communications from and within the MNEA community.

It has been such a joy to be the MNEA President and a member of this board. I truly admire the thoughtfulness, commitment, and support offered by my fellow board members, as well as the engagement and energy from our MNEA community. This report summarizes the year by highlighting our activities, our opportunities for growth, and reflecting on what this means as MNEA continues to evolve and expand.

Read the full report

This special event is free, but space is limited! Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/4v8apbea
 
When we focus on equity in our evaluations, we help to gather the insights needed to address systemic inequalities and we help to ensure that programs and policies are having a positive impact. As we are in the months of February and March, where we recognize the World Day of Social Justice, the International Day of Women, and the U.S. Black History Month, we want to ask ourselves and each other how we can provide valid and trustworthy data about initiatives in order to abolish poverty, racism, gender and sexual identity inequality, unemployment, and also support human rights, and social protection. How can evaluation embody the values of a more just society? How can we center equity in our work and in the world?

The EnCompass Learning Center  panel on equity and program evaluation, moderated by Dr. Ayesha Boyce, will feature evaluators from the Aspen Institute, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Food Programme (WFP). These experts will share: the ways in which their organizations are centering equity in their evaluation work; the role of data and technology in advancing equity; opportunities for strengthening the focus on equity and culturally responsive evaluation practice; and advice for those who are interested in being more mindful of equity in their work. So come prepared to not only listen, but to actively engage. Bring your experiences and your questions. Together we hope to be inspired to continue this good work.

Moderator

Ayesha Boyce, ELC Faculty and Associate Professor at Arizona State University

Panelists

Winston Allen – Agency Evaluation Officer, United States Agency for International Development

Nanette Antwi-Donkor – Senior Program Manager – Data, Equity and Impact, Aspen Institute

Grace Igweta – Senior Evaluation Officer, World Food Programme

Erika Rissi – Senior Advisor for Strategy and Evaluation, National Science Foundation

Please note that this event will take place online via zoom. The login information for the event will be emailed to registrants at least one week prior to the event. The session will be recorded and shared (for a very limited time) with people who have registered. This is to enable access to those who may not be able to join us live on the 21st.

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at learningcenter@encompassworld.com.

Baltimore Area Evaluators (BAE) invites you to join our virtual Post-AEA Conference Sharing Circle on November 17, 2022 from 11-12 pm CT

Come get all the highlights from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) Conference. ALL are welcome. If you attended the conference, come share what wowed you. If you did not attend, come catch up on what you missed. This is an informal session to share resources and catch up on the industry!

Register at https://bit.ly/3DdnMRD

Leah Goldstein Moses, Founder and CEO of The Improve Group, has stepped down as CEO and into an advisory role.

The Improve Group is a St. Paul-based evaluation, research, and strategic planning consulting firm with a staff of 21 people. The organization is dedicated to helping nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies make the most of information, navigate complexity, and ensure their work contributes to a better, more equitable world.

Read more about Leah's journey and hopes for the future in her letter.

The Colorado Evaluation Network invites MNEA members to a one-hour discussion with Dr. Martha Brown titled Why Should Evaluators Be Trauma Informed? The Zoom event will take place on Wednesday, October 12, from 1-2p CT.They ask affiliate members to pay a reduced rate of $5. Learn more and register.

The Arizona Evaluation Network (AZENet) is hosting a one-day virtual conference featuring a variety of national and local leaders in our field. AZENet has offered reduced pricing of $50 per registration for members of MNEA. Visit the For Members section of the MNEA website for the registration code and further details.

Do you want to use data to work smarter, not harder?

How can data reveal inequity and help us find stronger solutions?

What are data-driven strategies that get results?

Join Every Hour Counts to strategize with peers about how to collect, analyze, and use data to advance racial equity and drive continuous improvement in your community.

This free Virtual Symposium will feature ten 75-minute sessions that tap into the expertise of community leaders who are committed to demonstrating the value and impact of afterschool and summer experiences for youth, families and communities.

The Every Hour Counts network represents leaders from 28 communities, including 3,500 school and community partnerships that reach 500,000 young people, who are excited to share successes, challenges, ideas and resources to ensure thriving communities designed to holistically support children and youth.

The link to the event page can be found below:

Data Symposium: Putting Data to Work for Young People Tickets, Wed, May 4, 2022 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Indiana Evaluation Association invited MNEA member to join them as Jenny Nulty from Pivot Data Design discusses strategies you can use to tell stories in a way that promotes equity and uses intentional narrative, data, and design. Join for free with the code available in the For Members section of the website.

You can learn more and register at http://www.indianaevaluation.org/event-4631828.

If you are thinking about starting or further developing an independent consulting practice, consider registering for the Introduction to Independent Consulting Workshops with Matt Feldmann. Participants will work independently and in small groups to create a business plan. Matt leads the weekly Independent Consulting Chats, is the president of the St. Louis evaluation affiliate, and co-edited the New Directions for Evaluation special edition on independent consulting.

You can learn more at this registration link: https://gosheneducationcenter.regfox.com/introduction-to-independent-consulting-workshops

MNEA members can receive a $50 discount on the session with a discount code found in our "For Members" section of the MNEA website.