Boosting strategic accountability and learning in philanthropy through grantee feedback processes
The challenge
In philanthropy, monitoring and evaluation often focuses solely on grantee performance. However, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) is a vital tool for strategic accountability and strategic learning that all stakeholders can use. At Lighthouse Partnerships, we’ve seen that donors and other actors can gain significant value from using MEL to reflect, learn, and hold themselves accountable to each other and their wider stakeholders.
Since 2020, we’ve supported the global philanthropic foundation Porticus to better understand how grantee partners experienced our joint work, what was going well, and where we could improve. We also aimed to strengthen relationships and improve communication by embedding regular, meaningful feedback processes into Porticus’ programs.
How we helped
We designed tailored grantee feedback surveys for each program, combining closed and open questions to collect both quantitative and rich qualitative data. Surveys explored overall experiences as well as key themes such as inclusion and participation. We made sure surveys were carefully scoped to be able to answer the key strategic questions and generate actionable insights.
To ensure accessibility, especially in programs with multilingual partners, we used plain English, provided translations, and offered structured survey interviews as an alternative format. In some programs, we supplemented surveys with focus groups and interviews, particularly to hear from under-represented voices, and ran parallel surveys with Porticus and our own team to generate 360-degree feedback.
Looking forward
Grantee surveys have proven to be a simple but powerful tool. Partners appreciated Porticus’ openness to learning, while the surveys surfaced honest insights into what's working and what needs improvement.
Now a regular part of Porticus’ funding programs, annual grantee feedback surveys have helped build stronger, more equitable relationships. They demonstrate a commitment to mutual accountability and support more sustainable, partner-driven outcomes.
Client: Porticus
2021-2026
