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Evidence & Evaluation

Arnold Ventures Evidence Evaluation

We aim to build the body of rigorous research about what works and advance the use of evidence in policymaking. 

Too often, policy decisions and program investments are made without knowing if they will truly drive better outcomes for kids, families, and communities in America. While we have made remarkable progress in developing evidence in social policy, we need to better understand what policies and programs work best across diverse communities, and more effectively translate our findings into practical, impactful policymaking. 

Our team is driven by two goals: to use what we already know from research to make better policy decisions and to build more knowledge to inform future decisions. We are dedicated to using rigorous, causal research, including quasi-experimental methods and randomized controlled trials, to identify and evaluate promising programs and policies. We also know that creating evidence is not enough. Our team is deeply committed to working to bridge the gap between research and action, accelerate the uptake and scaling of proven programs, and integrate evidence into policymaking at all levels of government.

Smiling graduates embrace joyfully, while a participant raises their hand in a meeting, and two boys engage in conversation outdoors.
Partnerships

Partnerships for Proven Programs

Arnold Ventures is working with public leaders to drive new funding for evidence-based programs and policymaking at the state and local levels. We look for partners eager to leverage research and data to identify, implement, and scale up the policies proven effective by a robust body of evidence. Together, we aim to achieve real results for American families, communities, and businesses through data-driven decision-making.

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Requests for Proposals

Findings from Research Grants

We fund Randomized Controlled Trials across the spectrum of social policy. Read a one-page summary of each completed study, including the program evaluated, the key study findings, and a link to the full study report.

See the Findings

Summaries of Research Grants

Find summaries of grants that have been funded by our Evidence-Based Policy team. Each summary includes a description of the program to be evaluated; the grant recipient, term, and funding; and a link to the study’s pre-specified analysis plan.

Summaries of Research Grants

Stories

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Arnold Ventures Partners with Maryland to Scale Evidence-Based Programs Evidence & Evaluation
Arnold Ventures Partners with Maryland to Scale Evidence-Based Programs
The Results Are In: Big Brothers Big Sisters Makes a Real Difference for Mentees and Communities Evidence & Evaluation
The Results Are In: Big Brothers Big Sisters Makes a Real Difference for Mentees and Communities
Webinars Offer Advice on Applying for Requests for Proposals on Policies that Work Evidence & Evaluation
Webinars Offer Advice on Applying for Requests for Proposals on Policies that Work
A Second Round of Requests for Proposals to Find Policies that Work Evidence & Evaluation
A Second Round of Requests for Proposals to Find Policies that Work
Op-ed: Colorado and Arnold Ventures team up on data-driven decision-making Evidence & Evaluation
Op-ed: Colorado and Arnold Ventures team up on data-driven decision-making
Top Four Takeaways from Our New Innovative Partnership in Oklahoma Evidence & Evaluation
Top Four Takeaways from Our New Innovative Partnership in Oklahoma
Top Three Takeaways from the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives Evidence & Evaluation
Top Three Takeaways from the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives
AV Research Grants Build Evidence for Policy Solutions at Work in the Real World Contraceptive Choice and Access
AV Research Grants Build Evidence for Policy Solutions at Work in the Real World
Evidence & Evaluation Q&A: What Does Impactful Research Look Like for Evidence and Evaluation?
Straight Talk on Evidence

No spin, just evidence

We seek to distinguish credible findings of program effectiveness from the many others that claim to be but aren’t, through an easy-to-read, no-spin digest of recent program evaluation findings.

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Social Programs

What Works in Social Policy?

We seek to identify those social programs shown in rigorous studies to produce sizable, sustained benefits to participants and/​or society, so that they can be deployed to help solve social problems.

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Newsletter

Stay informed about Evidence-Based Policy

Never miss an update. Be the first to know about new RFPs, exciting research findings, and evidence-based policy updates by getting our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. 

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