Evaluation’s specific yet important niche within the work that governments, state, local, communities, and philanthropic agencies seek to accomplish means that it is necessary for these and other interested partners to understand what they’re engaging in, and how it is grounded theoretically. How do we provide a historical and grounding context without confusing and alienating potential partners? Visualizations can help, but we also want to ensure that commissioners of evaluation understand the sector, discipline, and approach as well as how best to use it. Specifically, how do we impart key points about an approach as well as the theoretical grounding so that the funder knows what she is pursuing and subsequentially using? This presentation discusses how the field and practice can make evaluation theory accessible to non-evaluators, and to those who have an investment in and need for evaluation services. The presenter will also discuss a new resource that is designed to help communities, funders, evaluators, and partners to better understand and visualize approaches that culturally responsive and equity focused.
