At the Scattergood Foundation, we believe that when nonprofits thrive, our communities thrive. Today, we celebrate not just a program, but a movement—one rooted in the idea that lasting change comes from learning, reflection, and growth.
The Greater Philadelphia region is home to an extraordinary nonprofit sector—organizations that show up every day to strengthen neighborhoods, support families, and advance equity and well-being. Through our work with these organizations, the Scattergood Foundation has consistently heard a shared theme: funding matters, but so does the ability to evaluate, learn, and adapt.
Organizations need the tools and support to build internal capacity—so they can better understand their impact and make informed decisions for the long term.
From a Pilot to a Regional Partnership
Fifteen years ago, the Scattergood Foundation partnered with The Consultation Center at Yale University to launch the Building Evaluation Capacity Initiative. What began as a focused effort to help nonprofits strengthen their planning and evaluation skills quickly demonstrated its transformative potential.
Recognizing the power of this work, a group of visionary funders—the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (now Blue Meridian), United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, The Barra Foundation, The Campbell’s Foundation, The Nelson Foundation, Philadelphia Foundation, and The Horner Foundation—came together to expand its reach. Together, they launched The RISE Partnership, a bold regional collaboration that invested $3 million over three years to help nonprofits measure what truly matters, improve outcomes, and build lasting infrastructure for data-informed learning.
A Legacy of Learning and Collaboration
RISE was never just a program—it was a commitment to strengthening the region’s social impact ecosystem. It equipped organizations with training, hands-on coaching, and practical tools for continuous improvement. It fostered a learning community that continues to share ideas and insights long after the initiative formally concluded.
That spirit of collaboration and capacity building has carried forward through new partnerships—with the City of Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and the Center for Creative Leadership—each adapting and extending this work to meet the evolving needs of the sector.
Looking Ahead: A New Home for Continued Impact
On Wednesday, November 5th, we marked another exciting milestone. By embedding this effort within the Public Health Hub at the University of Pennsylvania, we are ensuring that the work not only continues but grows. Together, we are advancing evidence-driven practice, collaboration, and innovation—helping nonprofit leaders build the skills and systems they need to thrive for years to come.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey—our partners, funders, and the nonprofit organizations that bring this work to life.
Together, we are strengthening the ability of nonprofits to lead, to learn, and to create communities where all people can thrive.