The Walton Family Foundation uses opinion research to helps us better understand public views and make meaningful, data-informed funding decisions

In the heartland, Practical Farmers of Iowa is testing new ways to shape farmer decision making to protect water and soil

A new guide to “participatory learning” offers foundations a roadmap to building trust with communities and having greater, more lasting impact

The philanthropic sector has faced calls for increased transparency, inclusivity and equity, prompting a reevaluation of how foundations engage with the communities they support. Participatory learning is a response to these calls, offering a pathway to more culturally responsive and equitable approaches.

The foundation is exploring new ways of interpreting data and evidence to evaluate impact

A foundation-created evaluation tool helps improve future grantmaking

When seeking out an evaluation partner, finding the right match is a challenge for both parties — the commissioner and the evaluator.

Successfully addressing vital social issues — like the movement for racial justice and addressing climate crises — requires large-scale initiatives that address equity, complexity and systems. This report offers ways of grouping systems change outcomes and helpful ways of thinking about complex social change work.

This report examine the foundation's current grantee capacity-building practices and provides recommendations for enhancing the foundation’s approach.

Philanthropy needs better approaches to measure its long-term impact. The Walton Family Foundation and peer philanthropies are learning and working together to build them