learning, evaluation and data

To reach that goal, we are constantly learning – from the communities and partners we serve, from our grants and investments, from experts in our strategic priority areas and from other funders.

As stewards of Dogwood’s assets, we must hold ourselves accountable for our grants and investments. Ongoing evaluation and measurement help us demonstrate progress, improve our practicesio and inform future decisions as we strive to continuously improve our effectiveness. We work with our partners and communities to develop shared metrics that reflect our shared vision, working in a spirit of continuous improvement, drawing and communicating lessons from our mistakes as well as our successes. 

We gather data that already exists from expert sources and commission our own to provide clear baselines and examine trends. Through both numbers and stories, data shows where we are now and where there may be a path forward.