Current and Recent Clients
Every project below started with a question an organization needed to answer — and produced evidence they could use to decide what came next. That’s the thread across all of Marigold’s work: rigorous findings connected to real decisions.
We don’t publish client findings without permission. What we share here is the scope, the methods, and — where clients have allowed — what the work made possible.
Foundation
A retrospective assessment of grantmaking outcomes for a Texas-based foundation focused on post-secondary access and persistence. The evaluation examines a sample of approximately 30 grants to map investments against their stated impact objectives, identifying patterns in grant effectiveness and areas for future strategic direction. The work includes quantitative analysis of grant data, qualitative grantee interviews, and data visualization for foundation leadership and board reporting.
The project confirmed the strategic planning direction the board and staff were undertaking.
Methods: Quantitative grant analysis, grantee interviews, data visualization
Not for profit
A two-year evaluation of four U.S. Embassy-funded programs supporting cross-cultural training and academic collaboration between the United States and Pakistan. The programs span American Studies curriculum exchange, STEM training for women in science, higher education research skills development, and civic leadership. The evaluation covers all four program tracks, with data collection including post-event surveys for each program, key informant interviews with program administrators in both countries, in-person focus groups with program participants, and virtual observation of capstone presentations.
Findings in the first year were early indicators of promise for the new initiatives and pointed to changes that would have been implemented with continued funding.
Methods: Surveys (multiple instruments across four program tracks), key informant interviews (U.S. and international), focus groups, observations
Foundation
A multi-year evaluation of a foundation-supported scholarship and student support program operating across eight public universities in Texas. The program serves first-generation graduates of Early College High Schools, supporting them through baccalaureate degree completion. The evaluation tracks student outcomes including college persistence, degree completion, and program engagement, drawing on administrative data, student surveys, coordinator interviews, and focus groups. Findings have informed both program refinement and foundation grantmaking strategy.
Findings have underscored the practices of non-financial and financial supports for these students and pointed to the importance of high-touch programming for students.
Methods: Administrative data analysis, student and coordinator surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, data visualizations
University
An evaluation of a U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions grant at a Midwestern university, focused on enhancing academic supports and improving outcomes for lower-income students. The evaluation assessed the implementation and effectiveness of new student support services, early alert systems, and academic advising structures introduced under the grant.
Student and key informant data pointed to the importance of supports put in place by the program.
Methods: Mixed-methods evaluation including administrative data analysis, student surveys, and program staff interviews
University
A multi-year evaluation of an NIH-funded Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program at a historically Black university, designed to expose underserved and minority high school students to biomedical and pharmaceutical science education and career pathways. Over four years, 93 high school students and their science teachers participated in a two-week summer research camp led by university faculty and graduate student mentors. The evaluation measured changes in students’ career interest, science knowledge, and attitudes toward STEM fields using pre- and post-program survey instruments.
Findings were reviewed each year and led to adjustments in the program's delivery the following year.
Methods: Pre/post surveys, longitudinal tracking across four cohort years, analysis by demographic subgroup (race/ethnicity, gender)
University
An evaluation of a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center grant supporting language and cultural studies at a Midwestern university. The evaluation examined the center’s effectiveness in expanding language instruction, area studies programming, and outreach to K–12 educators and community audiences.
Findings informed the strategic planning process the department was undertaking.
Methods: Mixed-methods evaluation including enrollment and course data analysis, participant surveys, and faculty interviews
University
A multi-year evaluation of an NIH-funded SEPA program at a Midwestern university that developed laboratory modules for middle and high school students to investigate the effects of environmental toxicants on living organisms through hands-on experimental design. The program also partnered with a university teacher certification program to prepare pre-service teachers to offer authentic research experiences in their classrooms. The evaluation adapted its approach during COVID-19, assessing the transition to virtual laboratory formats and online program delivery.
A review of findings annually allowed the program to adjust program directions, if needed.
Methods: Pre/post surveys, teacher observation protocols, student performance data.
Not for Profit
A formative evaluation for a nonprofit youth mental health agency in western Pennsylvania expanding its community-based prevention programming across multiple municipalities. The agency, funded by a regional health foundation, trains first responders, educators, counselors, and community members in suicide prevention (QPR) and mental health awareness. The evaluation developed a reusable post-program survey template, fielded surveys across multiple program sites, and conducted key informant interviews with six community partners—including libraries, school districts, fire departments, and a private employer—to assess how programming was received, the value partners placed on the relationship, and plans for future engagement.
Findings allowed for the program to confirm need for services in areas where it might scale delivery.
Methods: Post-program surveys, key informant interviews, qualitative coding, logic model review, survey instrument development
Sectors We Serve
We have deep experience evaluating programs across a range of sectors. If your organization is doing meaningful work and wants to understand and communicate its impact, we can help.
Higher Education
We have evaluated programs at universities and colleges across the country, including federally funded Title III and Title VI grants, student success initiatives, and programs supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. We understand the reporting demands of federal funders and the nuance of measuring student outcomes in complex institutional environments.
Foundations & Grantmakers
We work with foundations to assess the performance of their grantees, understand the landscape of their investments, and make the case for continued funding. We bring a combination of rigorous methodology and practical communication skills that helps foundation staff and their partners tell a compelling story grounded in evidence.
Nonprofit & Human Services
From youth mental health agencies to community development organizations, we've partnered with nonprofits at all stages — from early-stage evaluation planning to multi-year program assessments. We know how to work within limited budgets and tight timelines without sacrificing quality.
K–12 Education & STEM Outreach
Our work includes multi-year evaluations of NIH-funded Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) programs that bring hands-on science education to middle and high school students, with a particular focus on underserved and minority youth. We've evaluated laboratory modules, summer research camps, teacher training programs, and early college initiatives.
International & Cross-Cultural Programs
Our experience includes evaluations of U.S. Embassy-funded international exchange and cross-cultural training programs, as well as academic programs supporting language and area studies. We bring both methodological rigor and cultural sensitivity to this work.