The Evaluators Fund
Introducing The Evaluators Fund: A new, small grant program of Washington Evaluators
Washington Evaluators is proud to announce The Evaluators Fund, a new grantmaking initiative designed to invest support directly in our members and the evaluation profession. Replacing the dormant Evaluators Scholarship program, this fund expands support to students, emerging evaluators, and established professionals alike.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of The Evaluators Fund is to provide modest, targeted financial grants to individuals or groups of WE members to support proposals related to the evaluation profession. The Fund can provide grants of up to $500 to members for assistance with educational and professional development opportunities
Guiding Principles
The administration of the Evaluators Fund is rooted in core principles:
- Equity and transparency in the selection process.
- A clear professional-development nexus for all funded activities.
- Administrative simplicity for both applicants and reviewers.
- Emphasizing educational and professional development assistance, rather than general hardship relief.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a grant from the Evaluators Fund, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Membership: Must be a current member in good standing of Washington Evaluators. All membership levels are eligible; students, reduced rate, organizational supporter, and professional.
- Demonstrated Need: Expanding beyond solely financial need, applicants are to show financial or professional need, such as job loss due to budget cuts, status as an early-career or transitioning evaluator, or a need for simple seed funding for an evaluation idea.
- Proposed Use: The request must be for an allowable use of funds (see below).
- Commitment: Applicants agree to provide a brief post-award report.
Ineligible Applicants
- Current members of the WE Board of Directors.
- Individuals with unresolved prior WE obligations or lapsed membership.
| Allowable Uses (Illustrative) | Non-Allowable Uses |
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Conference registration fee for evaluation-relevant events (e.g., AEA).
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General living expenses (rent, groceries, debt repayment). |
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Professional Development
LinkedIn Premium profiles, fee-based Resume/CV reviews, or career coaching. |
Travel or lodging, unless explicitly approved as part of a conference fee |
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Small Projects
Creating public tools, resources, or webinars that strengthen the community. |
Political, lobbying, or advocacy activities. |
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Training/Certification
Fees directly tied to upskilling in an evaluation practice. |
Retroactive reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the award |
How to Apply
The application consists of filling out an online form requiring applicant information, a description of the proposed fund use (max 300 words), and a statement of need as defined above (max 250 words).
Click here to apply: The Evaluators Fund Application
Deadline for Submission
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds last through the end of 2026, and awards will be granted according to the above criteria for allowable uses. Application deadlines for 2027 will be announced later this year.
Grant Disbursement and Reporting
Disbursement
Awards are issued via check or electronic transfer. When feasible, Washington Evaluators prefers to pay funds directly to vendor (e.g., conference organizer or trainer). Please note that these grants do not create an employment, contractor, or fellowship relationship with Washington Evaluators.
Reporting Requirements
To help us measure impact, all awardees must submit at least a 1 page reflection within 60 days of receiving the funds. This report should include:
- A description of how funds were used.
- The immediate benefit received.
- An optional testimonial for use in WE communications (with your consent).
The Evaluators Fund is managed and overseen by Washington Evaluators. For questions, please contact Matt St. John at president@washingtonevaluators.org
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