More than listening: Harnessing the power of feedback to drive collaborative learning

Abstract

Foundations can and should do a better job of gathering feedback from and learning with both grantees and the communities they seek to serve. Gathering meaningful input is difficult, however, given power dynamics between foundations and those they support. This article explores how foundations can harness the power of feedback to improve philanthropic practice, using the experiences of the James Irvine Foundation as a case example. It provides information about the foundation and its commitment to constituent feedback, presents two cases from its own experience gathering feedback from community stakeholders and grantee partners, and then lays out a series of culminating lessons and insights based on this work.