Abstract
In addition to the dearth of literature on successful evaluation capacity building (ECB), there is also a need to highlight novel and blended approaches to evaluating ECB. To evaluate the Data for Social Impact (DSI) initiative, we used developmental evaluation and emergent design evaluation. The DSI initiative was created in the St. Louis metropolitan region in Missouri to build data capacity and collaboration across sectors to improve impact. Within its overarching goal of social-sector data capacity building, DSI aims to amplify ECB both within and across organizations. In this article, we discuss the background of the initiative and our process of evaluation. This article offers an approach to evaluating ECB that allows for the flexibility and complexity that often comes with evaluation done in collaborative, real-world contexts. We champion using an emergent and developmental evaluation principles to evaluate ECB programs to extend their reach beyond the evaluation experts and into organizations and communities working toward equity and justice.