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25 Years of Partnership & Authenticity: Our 2021 Annual Report

Our 2021 annual report explores the ways the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland lives its commitment to community: by bringing those with lived expertise into every aspect of our work, from grantmaking to strategy development to the way we evaluate success.

Read an introductory letter from SOCF President Susanna Krey and Board Chair Woodrow Whitlow, Jr.

ANNUAL REPORT: STORIES OF LIVED EXPERTISE

I. Lived Expertise Influences Strategy and Direction

To effectively serve and support a community, we recognize that we cannot work on behalf of or for any specific population. Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland is committed to working and walking with community members.

By encountering challenges alongside our partners, we can better understand how to direct our resources to break down barriers and make real change. In this way, our community members share their lived expertise so we can gain a stronger perspective for how to direct our strategy.

II. Lived Expertise in Grantmaking Processes

While lived expertise has been an important part of strategy development at Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, we are also looking toward more accessible, transparent practices in our responsive grantmaking process.

Health Equity Program Officer Joseph Black is leading the conversation and building the model for community members to review grants, make presentations and weigh in on what truly matters in our neighborhoods.

Moving Beyond Feedback: Bringing Community Members to Grantmaking

III. Lived Expertise in Learning

As a strategic grantmaker, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland values the practice of learning and evaluation in its program areas.

We grow by asking questions: How are grantees using resources? How is the landscape of a program area changing, and how should we respond? Are we directing resources to get the best outcomes? Are we seeking
unreasonable outcomes? Are we asking the right questions to drive the change we want to see? As we recognize the complexity and layers in the work of our grantees, we have begun to see the importance of inviting those with lived expertise to help devise our evaluation practices.

Asking the Right Questions: Equity & Partnership in Evaluation

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