Research & Evaluation
At Cultivate Collective, our approach to research and evaluation is designed to ensure that our initiatives are effective, impactful, and continually improving. By asking critical questions and rigorously analyzing our outcomes, we strive to create a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve. Our research and evaluation framework focuses on both short-term and long-term goals, allowing us to track progress, identify challenges, and adapt our strategies as needed.
Short-Term Learning & Evaluation Questions (First 3–5 Years)
In the initial phase of our work, we aim to understand and measure the immediate impact of our activities. Our key questions include:
1. Infrastructure Development: Has Cultivate Collective successfully built out the Cultivate Community and Sustainability Hub and launched its component activities?
2. Program Utilization: To what extent are the facilities and programs developed and used, and by whom?
3. Community Health and Well-Being: To what extent, and in what ways, are the projects designed to improve community health and well-being by expanding access to green space, healthy food, and health care services?
4. Employment and Training: To what extent has Cultivate Collective contributed to the employability of community residents through training and apprenticeship opportunities?
5. Job Creation: To what extent has Cultivate Collective created new, quality jobs for community residents that provide a living wage, benefits, and opportunities for advancement? To what extent, and in what ways, do the jobs created contribute to the “green economy?”
6. Business Incubation: Have new businesses been incubated and established?
7. Multigenerational Learning: What contributions has Cultivate Collective made to multigenerational learning in the community?
8. Community Engagement: To what extent, and in what ways, has the participation of community stakeholders contributed to the planning and implementation of Cultivate Collective activities and projects?
9. Implementation Challenges: What implementation challenges have arisen, and what responses were developed that might inform similar projects elsewhere and in the future?
Long-Term Learning & Evaluation Questions (5+ Years)
Our long-term evaluation questions are designed to assess the sustained impact of our initiatives on the community. These include:
1. Economic Impact: To what extent has Cultivate Collective contributed to economic well-being, catalyzed increased investment and development in the community, and promoted wealth-building for community residents?
2. Health and Well-Being: To what extent, and in what ways, has Cultivate Collective contributed to the health and well-being of community residents?
3. Environmental Sustainability: To what extent have the activities of Cultivate Collective contributed to environmental improvement and sustainability in the community?
Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Through our comprehensive research and evaluation framework, Cultivate Collective is committed to continuous learning and improvement. We believe that by systematically assessing our impact and engaging with our community stakeholders, we can refine our approaches, overcome challenges, and share our successes and lessons learned with others. This rigorous evaluation process not only helps us achieve our mission but also enables us to contribute valuable insights and best practices to the broader field of community development and sustainability.
By integrating these evaluation practices into our daily operations, we ensure that our initiatives are not only meeting their immediate goals but also paving the way for long-term, sustainable change. Our ultimate aim is to foster thriving, equitable, and resilient communities where every resident has the opportunity to succeed and flourish.
