Yetu initiative mid-term performance evaluation : final report

The evaluation seeks to learn from the strengths and limitations of the Yetu approach to inform local philanthropy strategies and practices. Of Yetu’s approaches, both bootcamps and subgrants – and most of their components – had a generally positive impact on many participating CSOs. The influence of regional workshops, blended learning, Yetu’s listserv and research were more variable. Outreach campaign tactics were seen slightly favorably, though were less effective outside of Nairobi. From a “philanthropy ecosystem” standpoint, Yetu has successfully built upon the local context and culture, strengthened organizations that carry out philanthropy ecosystem functions, and is exploring how to integrate these efforts into a sustained system. By design, Yetu has focused less on improving the enabling environment for philanthropy. In fact, while Yetu has addressed some of the endogenous barriers CSOs face to giving, Yetu was not designed to address the exogenous barriers around policy, legislation, and the individual and community factors that inhibit giving, though some preliminary, non-systemic progress toward the latter has been made. Though Yetu is not currently well-aligned with the USAID sub-intermediate result (IR) it falls under, it has contributed to USAID’s Development Objectives (DOs) focused on devolution as well as health and human capacity. By pursuing activities and CSO partners in counties outside Nairobi, Yetu also contributes to places of interest to USAID. Moving forward, USAID should consider supporting the Yetu-facilitated Collaborative Space as a convening entity, and better incorporating local and community philanthropy within its overall programming (not just Yetu).