Radiance Insights
Use Developmental Evaluation for Emerging Community Solutions
How can you bring evaluation into a new project when you’re not even sure what your full strategy...
Leadership Qualities
I see and hear from a lot of leaders these days. I greatly appreciate those with formal leadership...
Do You Need a Skip-Ahead Card?
When I was a child, some of the games I played had a magic card that let me skip ahead a few...
Evaluation Uncovers Important Truths
At Radiance, we approach evaluation as a way to help organizations uncover and talk about...
When Evaluation and Fundraising Support Each Other
A long time ago, I learned that rice and beans together make a complete protein. They’re simple,...
Mondays with MEL
Mondays with MEL – From Reports to Actions
Season 1, Week 11 You’ve got your evaluation findings. Now, how can you act on those insights to make sure your evaluation efforts actually lead to stronger learning, decisions, and impact? This week’s MondaysWithMEL shares practical ways to move from reports to real...
Mondays with MEL – Why Stories are Data
Season 1, Week 10 People often call an evaluator when a report is due. But evaluation is most useful BEFORE you’re rushing to explain what happened. Explore MEL’s quick guide to when evaluation matters most. Want a thought partner to build a Measurement, Learning, and...
Mondays with MEL – When Should You Call an Evaluator
Season 1, Week 9 People often call an evaluator when a report is due. But evaluation is most useful BEFORE you’re rushing to explain what happened. Explore MEL’s quick guide to when evaluation matters most. Want a thought partner to build a Measurement, Learning, and...
Mondays with MEL – Common MEL Mistakes
Season 1, Week 8 Even well-intentioned organizations make Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) mistakes—but good news: They’re fixable. What matters most is clarity, reflection, and action. Take a look below to see common pitfalls and practical shifts you can...
Mondays with MEL – Measure Hard-to-Measure Outcomes
Season 1, Week 7 Some of the most meaningful outcomes—like healing, safety, economic stability, arts impact, and systems change—don’t fit neatly into numbers. But with the right measurement, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approach, you can track and learn from them....
Mondays with MEL – Secure More Funding
Season 1, Week 6 As needs rise and budgets shrink, strong evaluation becomes a powerful tool for securing funding. Evaluation isn’t just about data—it’s about showing funders and donors what’s working, how you’re contributing to positive change, and how your approach...
Mondays with MEL – Quantitative or Qualitative?
Season 1, Week 5 Quantitative or Qualitative? Numbers or Words? Both can be powerful, and they each have a role to play—but how do you choose? Check out some tips from our series host, MEL (short for Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning), to help you think it...
Mondays with MEL – AI & Evaluation
Season 1, Week 4 Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up in our field more and more. The real question isn’t “friend or foe?” It’s whether we’re using it responsibly and keeping people at the center of the process. Try this 4 Ps checklist—Purpose, People,...
Mondays with MEL – Evaluation During a Crisis
Season 1, Week 3 In crisis times, urgency is natural—but clarity is powerful. That’s where evaluation comes in. It’s not just about data or reports—it’s about learning in real time, lifting up community voices, and making the most informed moves when it matters most....
Mondays with MEL – How Evaluation Drives Change
Season 1, Week 2 Change isn’t just about effort; it’s about direction. Evaluation is our compass. It tells us what’s working, what’s not, and where to go next. Without it, we’re guessing. With it, we’re growing. That’s how evaluation drives change.
Introducing Mondays with MEL
Season 1, Week 1 MEL is curious, courageous, and passionate about asking big questions:💥 What’s working?🌱 What’s changing?⚡ And how do we know? MEL answers frequently asked questions and discusses hot topics in the fields of nonprofit social change work, philanthropy,...
