Research, Learning, & Evaluation
Igniting the Foundation’s strategy and facilitating learning in the Kansas City region and beyond
Research, learning, and evaluation are the basis for effective grantmaking and informed decision making. These processes ensure that resources are strategically allocated to maximize positive outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
What is Research, Learning, & Evaluation (RLE)?
The Research, Learning, and Evaluation (RLE) team is the mechanism behind the Foundation’s data-driven approach to grantmaking and impact. We endeavor to inform and deeply engage with community, measure the effectiveness of funded initiatives, and support learning to better serve Kansas City and beyond.
We specialize in translating complex research and learnings into actionable insights, helping the Foundation and its grantees navigate ever-evolving social and economic landscapes. Our expertise spans across three core functions: Research, Learning, and Evaluation.
Our guiding principles
The RLE team is driven by core principles that ensure our work remains intentional and impactful. These guiding values shape every aspect of our research, learning, and evaluation processes.
RLE impact & approach
At the heart of our work is the desire to make a lasting difference in the communities we serve. Through the combined efforts of research, learning, and evaluation, we transform insights into actionable strategies that drive systemic change. Our approach ensures that every decision is informed by evidence, that we are continuously learning and adapting, and that our initiatives have a measurable, positive impact.
We believe in the power of collaboration and work closely with grantees, community organizations, and subject matter experts to co-create measures, evaluation plans, and innovative research and learning opportunities. Through ongoing evaluation and learning, we continually refine our approaches, innovation, accountability, and long-term improvement across all our efforts.
Ways to engage
We believe in the power of collaboration.
By pooling resources and expertise, we’re able to generate richer, more impactful insights that benefit communities. Moving forward, we will convene peers who are conducting robust research and evaluation activity around our strategic priorities for collaboration and collective learning.
Have questions or ideas to share?
Our RLE team is here to connect. Reach out to us via our form below – we’d love to hear from you and explore how we can work together to drive impactful change.
Learn more about Research, Learning, & Evaluation (RLE)
We systemically investigate critical questions to uncover patterns, trends, and solutions that inform our strategies and practices.
We foster an environment of continuous knowledge sharing and capacity building to stay informed, innovative, and adaptable in a rapidly changing landscape.
We measure outcomes and processes to identify strengths and areas for growth, assessing the effectiveness and impact of our initiatives.