Evaluation Principles and Practices: A Guide to Evaluation at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The purpose of this document is to provide a refreshed description of our philosophy, purpose, and expectations specifically regarding evaluation at the Hewlett Foundation; to clarify staff roles; and to outline available support. Although the foundation’s programs and initiatives differ widely, their evaluation principles and guidance for practice apply to all of them.

The paper is organized into three substantive sections:

(a) Principles,

(b) Roles and Responsibilities, and

(c) Practice Guide

The foundation shares the paper broadly—not as a blueprint, but in a spirit of collegiality—and with an interest in contributing to others’ efforts and continuing our collective dialogue about evaluation practice.