Case Study
The Hewlett Foundation
Evaluating The Hewlett Foundation's DEIJ Grantmaking Efforts
About the client
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation supports visionary individuals and innovative problem solvers dedicated to fostering equitable opportunities for all.
Our Work
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers who are working to ensure everyone has a meaningful opportunity to thrive.
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's Western Conservation Portfolio collaborated with Raben and Chris Armijo Consulting, LLC, to assess the impact and effectiveness of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) grantmaking initiatives.
Raben and Armijo adopted a mixed-methods approach that included a survey among grant-funded organizations to gather quantitative insights into the DEIJ strategies' impact, interviews with grantee organizations, peer funders, and DEIJ thought leaders, and an analysis of DEIJ-focused grant proposals that included final reports to assess their success.
The Outcome
Our comprehensive evaluation yielded diverse findings, ranging from identifying successful DEIJ strategies to uncovering barriers and areas for improvement. We explored the impact of the Hewlett Foundation's voice and the significance of relationships within the grant-making team.
Presenting our reflections and analysis, we developed eight recommendations spanning five major areas for the Western Conservation Portfolio’s consideration. These recommendations aimed to enhance the effectiveness of current DEIJ grantmaking efforts, emphasizing continuous improvement and alignment with the Foundation’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Our collaborative evaluation provided valuable insights to guide the Hewlett Foundation in refining and advancing its DEIJ initiatives, reinforcing the organization's dedication to creating positive social impact through strategic grantmaking.
