Program Review and Strategic Planning; BWF

Posted on February 26, 2020

Better Way Foundation is a private family foundation that works with partners to build a future where child well-being contributes to strong families and communities. We fund Indigenous Early Childhood Education in three specific geographies (Minnesota, New Mexico, and South Dakota); the American Indian Catholic Schools Network; and early childhood development in Tanzania. In addition, and as an outgrowth of our partnerships across Indian Country, we have one active partnership focused on truth and healing in Indian Country.

For more information about Better Way Foundation, please see our website , including our mission, vision, and statement of values available here .

Better Way Foundation seeks proposals from contractor(s) with demonstrated experience conducting organizational and program evaluation and who hold expertise in application of findings to facilitating strategic planning processes. The Foundation seeks contractor(s) to conduct an expedited, targeted evaluation of the foundation’s processes, programs, and impact. The contractor will use findings from the evaluation to inform facilitation of a strategic planning process.

Key Deliverables:
1) summative evaluation report for three audiences: Foundation/Board of Directors, Partners, General Public;
2) facilitation of process for development of 5-year strategic plan.

• To describe investment and impact across three priority grant making programs and their respective alignment with the foundation’s values and mission
• To demonstrate scope of readiness, processes, and established, sustainable systems across partner sites
• To examine alignment of BWF’s program approach (framework, theory of change, and knowledge assets) and program activities with mission/values, impact and investment
• To generate key strategic areas of work that will inform BWF 5 year strategic plan
  • To inform BWF resource allocation and prioritization.
  • To inform BWF potential new areas of focus
  • To inform BWF program approach and key domains of work
  • To inform BWF operational priorities
  • To inform BWF continued engagement with partners

• What is the nature and scope of the Foundation’s impact on early childhood development in Indian Country and Tanzania, and on the American Indian Catholic School Network and its members?
• On a continuum of programming and impact, to what degree are investments in current partnerships yielding progress toward sustainable impact and programming? What are key indicators of sustainability?
• In what ways are the current areas of focus and priorities reflective of need for support?
• To what extent are critical changes to program engagement required to ensure progress toward Foundation’s exit (responsible end of partnership)? How might the foundation strategically approach the balance between deep, long-term partnerships and the need to be intentional and transparent about exit strategies?
• What are the distinctive phases of work required to move partners from meeting initial needs to having sustainable impact?
• How can the foundation best balance different approaches to supporting its partners, along a spectrum from passive support to hands-on technical assistance, keeping in mind BWF staffing levels?
• In what ways are the current investments in partnerships yielding opportunities to scale and expand partnerships in new geographic areas, countries, communities?
• What are examples of partner innovations, foundation activities and national contributions to early childhood development, policy, and community change?
• What does the Foundation desire to accomplish operationally, programmatically, and fiscally?
• What are key themes and areas of focus that require attention within the next 1-2 years
• What are key findings and areas focus that require attention within the next 3-5 years?

Anticipated Activities

• In partnership with BWF staff, and in regular consultation with the strategic review task force of the BWF board of directors, develop a comprehensive understanding of BWF’s programs and partnerships to understand the foundation’s work to date, strengthen…