I2I’s H2H: AEA Takeaways, Pay Her Forward, and Upcoming Trainings

Hi, friends!

Welcome to Intention 2 Impact (I2I’s) Heart 2 Heart (H2H) newsletter - where we share what’s on our minds, in our hearts, and up-our-sleeves. This is an archived newsletter from November 2022. Want to read the newsletter in real time? Click here to subscribe!

This month, we dive into some hot takes from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) Annual Conference, gratitude to those who turned out to last week’s fundraiser, and deets about our first trip to Arkansas to deliver a MEL 101 training for Walton Family Foundation grantee partners.

On Our Minds

Hello from the other side!

We’re on the other side of the American Evaluation Association’s 2022 Annual Conference in New Orleans — feeling inspired, connected, and utterly exhausted. The theme was (Re)shaping Evaluation Together — and we are here for the shake up.

Stuff we’re pondering after our week in NOLA:

Equitable evaluation necessitates centering systems-impacted communities in both the process and products of the work. However, “community” is not a monolith. Within communities, there are competing interests and power dynamics that should be understood and considered. We were glad to see this as a recurring theme, across presentations.
While it’s important to work alongside communities, it is also critical to collaborate with funders and investors. That may sound contradictory - but you cannot redistribute power without disrupting how and to whom capital flows. Sustainable change requires meeting changemakers where they are, questioning power dynamics in service of shifting mindsets, and leveraging generative tension to build bridges.
Everyone talks about ‘social justice’ and ‘decolonization’ as if they are synonymous. But are they? Social justice is in pursuit of equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Decolonization is the self-determination of Indigenous people over their land, cultures, governance, and economic systems. Both seek to repair an oppressive past in pursuit of a more equitable future — but they are different in their means, and have distinct implications in our work.
For public foundations, MERL is useful on both sides of the giving equation: to inform and measure impact of grantmaking AND to guide strategic fundraising. Measuring outcomes of the work is the norm - but using data to inform “inputs” (aka: $$$ in) may be an untapped opportunity.
"Wowwww - you look different than your Zoom square!” is officially the new “Can you believe this weather?” small-talk. It’s just as awkward, but we get it.

In Our Hearts

Sending a huge thank you to everyone who attended our “Happy Hour & Headshots” fundraiser last week as part of I2I’s annual initiative, Pay Her Forward!

Pay Her Forward is I2I’s commitment to give as we receive. Ever year, we pick a different organization serving women and girls (including transwomen and non-binary individuals), and donate funds to support their mission. Our fundraising includes community-building events and donating honorariums from speaking engagements.

Last week, we raised over $1k (exact total still being tabulated) for Women With a Vision, a New Orleans based non-profit fighting for bodily autonomy and ultimate liberation of Black women and birthing people, low income folks, and the LGBTQ+ community. We felt this was particularly important as we spent time (and money) in Louisiana, where abortion is completely banned.

Thank you again to all those who attended! We’ll be sending everyone’s headshots and the exact total raised in the next two weeks.

*Let’s just say, we know how to throw a good party.*

Up Our Sleeves

“I don’t want a lot for Christmas,
There is just one thing I need….” 🎶

Mariah stuck in your head yet? If not, you’re welcome.

We heard that all you want for the Holidays is some MEL training!

This December, I2I partners, Nina and Kathleen, will be flying to Bentonville, Arkansas to provide three, interactive “MEL 101: Accessible + Actionable Tools to Measuring + Maximize Your Impact” workshops at the inaugural Walton Family Foundation Grantee Conference. The training is in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) and will be linked with CNE’s 7 Actionable Principles for a Strong Social Sector.

Hit us up with any foodie recommendations in Northwest Arkansas or reach out if your organization could benefit from MEL trainings. We’re now booking into 2023!

BTW - the conference will be held at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (woah, cross that off our bucket list)!