Six Things We Learned About Building a MEL Framework for an Early-Stage Funder

What does it take to co-create a meaningful MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) framework with a brand-new funder? For four years, we partnered with the Elevate Prize Foundation (EPF)—a bold, visionary nonprofit on a mission to Make Good Famous—to answer that question in real time.

In this blog, we share six key takeaways from our journey—insights that will resonate with funders, evaluators, and social impact practitioners navigating the evolving landscape of philanthropy and learning.

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In this edition, we consider the role of L&E in Risk & Resilience in Philanthropy, introduce Dr. B, and give Dolly her flowers for winning I2I’s Celeb Philanthropy March Madness bracket.

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In this edition, we download our takeaways from a recent evaluation & responsible tech gathering at SXSW, celebrate Women’s History Month, and tip off our 2nd Annual March Madness: Celebrity Philanthropist Edition!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In this edition, we brave the shifting winds of our Federal Government, uplift some powerful facts from our team’s recent trip to Durham, NC, and reveal I2I’s newest client! 

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In the first newsletter of 2025, we read the tea leaves of philanthropy, share resources for how to support those impacted by the LA wildfires, and unveil our team’s annual mood boards and playlist.

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In our final newsletter of 2024, we reflect on all we achieved together in the past 365 days, reveal our words of the year, and sign off as we bid farewell to 2024!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

In November’s Heart-2-Heart — I2I’s monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves — we are grappling with the 2024 general  elections, counting our I2I blessings, and spotlighting organizations that are giving us hope. 

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're setting intentions for our upcoming team retreat, celebrating Kathleen’s birthday with a round of AMA, and gearing up for I2I’s presentations at AEA 2024.

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're keeping score of impact investments vs. grants, introducing you to Emma Hamrick, and officially inviting you to party with us in Portland! 

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're existing in the context of all in which we live, keeping the Olympic flame ablaze, and giving away free stuff to celebrate H2H’s 2nd anniversary!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're contemplating the point of data in trying times, cooking up culinary delicacies with our summer recipe swap, and making space for team reflection re: the first half of 2024.

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're mulling over the importance of measuring visibility, welcoming I2I’s latest team member, and giving a shout-out to one of our newest clients, the San Francisco LBGT Center!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we’re playing cupid with MEL and IMM, taking a moment for Mental Health Awareness Month, and announcing I2I’s 2024 Spring Tour schedule (we may be coming to a locale near you)! 😉

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we’re recapping I2I’s inaugural Celeb Philanthropist March Madness, Celebrating Earth Month with shout-outs to some inspiring Climate activists, and announcing I2I’s brand refresh!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we’re singing the praises of the backbone teams of donor collaboratives, celebrating the ingenuity of womxn, and tipping off a March Madness: Celeb Philanthropy Edition!

Welcome to another installment of Intention 2 Impact’s Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we're rolling out the red carpet for Ava DuVernay's philanthropy-funded film, getting weird with off-beat love languages, and feeling at home with All Home (a nonprofit advancing regional solutions to disrupt poverty and homelessness).

When was the last time you saw a movie that rattled your consciousness? Two-some hours and a vat of popcorn later, you emerge from a dark theater and the light from the outside world hits differently.

That’s exactly how the Intention 2 Impact team felt after watching Ava DuVernay’s new movie, “Origin.” If you haven’t seen it yet, this is your sign. 📋

Welcome to the year of the dragon 🐲 and Intention 2 Impact’s first 2024 Heart-2-Heart — our monthly newsletter where we share what’s on our mind, in our hearts, and up our sleeves.

This month, we reflect on MacKenzie Scott makin’ it rain, the National Day of Racial Healing, and our latest experiment with interactive web reporting.

Season’s greetings, friends! ❄️☕️

Are you still there? Or are you already in holiday hibernation mode? Either way, we hope you enjoy our final newsletter of 2023. Cheers to another fun, fulfilling year.

This month, we reflect on big changes in 2023, reveal our words of the year, and look into our crystal ball for topics and trends of 2024. 🔮

Happy November! 🍂🦃

This month, we’re wondering if anyone has a direct line to Taylor Swift so she can help us with some narrative change work, feeling grateful for the little things, and introducing a new client to the I2I multiverse. Thank you for also being a part of it.