Equity in Grantmaking: A Review of Barriers and Strategies for Funders Considering Improvement Opportunities Final Report
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About the Report
In 2023, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and commissioned contractor Westat Insight to conduct a study to explore approaches to measure and increase equity in ETA’s discretionary grantmaking programs. This study sought to explore how grantmakers – such as Federal agencies, State and local government agencies, and philanthropic organizations – define, assess, and increase equity in their grantmaking process.
This study explores research and strategies related to equity in the discretionary grantmaking process based on a review of publicly available literature and Federal agency Equity Action Plans as well as interviews with Federal and philanthropic grantmakers. The report describes how funders define equity in the context of awarding grants, common barriers and promising action steps to increase equity in each stage of the grantmaking process (preaward, collection of applications, funding of awards, and postaward), and measurement strategies to help funders track their progress.
This report can support a variety of grantmakers examining equity, whether at government agencies (including at Federal, State, and local levels) or foundations. Recognizing that grantmaking organizations vary in size, policy area, and scope, the study team provides findings and suggestions that funders can tailor to meet their context and goals. The findings focus on domestic (U.S.-based) grantmaking, though international or transnational grantmakers may also find useful insights.
Citation
Streeter S., Giordano S., Shah, N., and Hyra, A. (2024). Westat. Equity in Grantmaking: A Review of Barriers and Strategies for Funders Considering Improvement Opportunities. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.
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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.