MEASURE IMPACT
Retrospective Portfolio Evaluation Measuring Systems Change
Location: North Carolina
Duration: 2022-2023
THE CHALLENGE
For over a decade, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation invested in improving equitable oral health outcomes across the state. However, the foundation lacked a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of how these investments contributed to systems change and what lessons could inform future grantmaking.
THE IMPACT
🚀 Uncovered five key systems-level shifts resulting from the foundation’s decade-long investments
📊 Informed future grantmaking strategies by identifying gaps and opportunities
🔎 Increased transparency and knowledge-sharing across the broader oral health field
OUR APPROACH
I2I designed and implemented a retrospective portfolio evaluation using a mixed-methods approach that included:
✔ Surveys of 50+ grantee partners
✔ Analysis of existing data sets to track trends over time
✔ In-depth interviews and focus groups to capture lived experiences
✔ A participatory sensemaking process to validate findings with grantees and the foundation
To ensure accessibility and usability, we synthesized the findings into a visually engaging, interactive web report, allowing partners to explore key takeaways at a glance.
🎯 What Makes This Different?
I2I’s systems change lens helped the foundation move beyond transactional metrics to understand long-term impact and structural shifts.
🔗 Explore the Full Findings: Check out the interactive website here.