Unlike conventional evaluation approaches that can be top-down or perpetuate inequities, participatory evaluation brings stakeholders and evaluators together to collaboratively develop and implement the evaluation. In alignment with COO’s values of shared power and decision-making, a participatory approach ensures partners, governance group, and staff play an active role throughout the evaluation process.
Evaluation
We update evaluation findings yearly. Find these reports on our Evaluation page:
We are grateful for the participation of the Evaluation Advisory Group members in the guidance of our evaluation work.
Stories from COO & Partners
4Culture and the City of Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development have opened a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for coaches, mentors, consultants, and technical assistance providers. Apply by April 10.
The HEAL Grant supports Indigenous-led initiatives in Washington State that advance environmental justice, community health, and cultural resilience. Apply by April 1.
The Port of Seattle is accepting applications for the 2025 South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) Economic Opportunities for Communities (EOC) Program. Apply by April 10.
The Youth Development RFP seeks to support the mental health and well-being of young people. Apply by April 15.
The $100,000 Bullitt Prize recognizes people in Washington state advancing conservation and environmental justice. Apply by May 16.
Now accepting applications for this five-month cohort on Solidarity Economy Regional Organizing. The goal is for Solidarity Economy groups to connect movement theory, values, and skills to their own regional contexts, with the ultimate aim of establishing functioning Solidarity Economy ecosystems.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for January/February 2025.
Office Hours are donation based, 30 minute appointments with an AORTA member who will offer thought partnership and one-on-one consultation; they are designed for individuals who are a part of or starting groups working towards racial, economic, and gender justice and are committed to power sharing and deep democracy.
Just Practice has compiled a short list of resources to help us connect, ground, fight and prepare for the years ahead.
Developed in partnership between Front & Centered, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and community allies, the projects funded by this grant will focus on innovative, community-led solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing accessibility, and building lasting, equitable transportation infrastructure.
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). NMF is a granting program that consists of two funds – the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) and the Small Sparks Fund (SSF) – which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities.
Seed Money Grants support the creation of new community agriculture projects and help sustain existing projects.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for December 2024/January 2025.
Communities of Opportunity celebrated our anniversary – and 10 years of community power – this fall.
60 philanthropists and government grant-makers met October 3 and began shaping a vision for collaboratively transforming funding practices
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for November/December 2024.
Partners came together to collect rich stories and visualize impact through a process called Ripple Effects Mapping (REM).
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for October 2024.
Philanthropy Northwest will be distributing $40 million in grants over the next three years in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and tribal nations in these four states. These funds are intended for projects that address a range of environmental issues and focus on promoting healthy communities.
A new collaboration between Communities of Opportunity (COO) and Seattle Foundation is yielding $200,000 more funding for the foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) grant and technical assistance program – and strengthening our relationship. The next round of funding closes October 30.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for September 2024.
Part One of a three-part series on the 2024 Othering & Belonging conference. A guest post by grantees and the Healthy & Safe Environments team.
In our new briefing, Transform Finance outlines various stages that investors may find themselves in exploring the space: understanding the landscape of EO funds, identifying the investment approaches of different funds, and comparing and evaluating the potential impact of funds. We provide recommendations for these stages as well as overall considerations to maximize impact and build the field. At the core of our recommendations is an analysis of 53 funds that finance EO in the United States and Canada, made across investment approaches, target financial returns, size, geographic focus and impact.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for June 2024.
The work of Communities of Opportunity is featured in the Best Starts for Kids 2023 Annual Report, and in the shorter highlights report — written for community — called A Year in Review.
More than 300 people and 15 community partners gathered for the second annual Oceania Heath Summit, this time with a twist - it was youth-led. The co-lead, Mele Havea, shares her story in this guest post.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for June 2024.
Imagine an economy that serves people, instead of people serving the economy. Where community and worker-owned businesses meet local needs. To get to the economy we need, we need to get under the skin of the economy we think we know. Join us for a deep dive into understanding the “economy” that you won’t find in economics class or by watching stock tickers. This is an opportunity for changemakers to join a learning community on collective root cause solutions.
The latest summary of Communities of Opportunity (COO) initiative news, events and updates
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for June 2024.