Partnering with Foundations to Advance Impact

The American Institutes for Research^® (AIR) is a trusted learning partner to many foundations and their grantees. Our experts bring strategic insights—grounded in evidence—to guide investments, enhance programs, and catalyze systems level change.

Helping Foundations Invest in What Works

Strong strategies start with clear evidence. AIR delivers insights and support at pivotal moments for foundations to maximize the impact of their efforts.

Before major investment decisions, AIR helps foundations map the landscape, identify opportunities, and make informed choices for maximum impact.

Throughout the program lifecycle, we work with foundations and their grantees to design and implement learning, capacity building, and evaluation strategies that guide decisions.

With an eye to the future, we help foundations learn from their results, understand what’s next, and meet the moment with evidence-driven strategy.

Your Partner in Turning Evidence into Action

We are hands-on, with expertise at the local level. We help foundations and their grantees—from community-based organizations to school districts—better understand the impact of their programs, advocate for what works, and pivot when change is needed.

We have the capacity for the most rigorous research, with the flexibility to deliver insights and support foundations can call on quickly. We understand that sometimes decisionmakers need rapid evidence, and other times a long-term evaluation is required. Whatever the moment calls for, AIR has the experts to make it happen.

We’re in it for the long haul. Through multi-year partnerships, we tailor support to each foundation’s goals, navigating challenges with a deep understanding of their context and needs. We know that foundations need more than a good idea—they need a plan that fits with their defined strategy and timeline.

Capabilities

AIR works side-by-side with foundations to shape strategy, generate insights, and build the field—together.

Learning & Thought Partnership	Strategy Shaping & Actionable Data	Field Building & Collective Sensemaking
Define learning questions that matter Explore timely and emerging issues Use systems thinking to connect the dots Support decision-making in complex environments Ensure learning drives strategic priorities	Develop learning agendas Deliver strategies grounded in evidence Facilitate real-time learning and adaptation Refine programs and initiatives based on what’s working	Convene grantees and communities of practice Share lessons and surface stories and insights Strengthen shared understanding Amplify impact across initiatives

Informing Strategy. Advancing Impact.

More than 400 foundations have trusted AIR as a partner to design strategies, build evidence, and scale solutions that drive meaningful change.

The Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation partnered with AIR to strengthen its Inclusive Financial Systems strategy. AIR is developing measurement and learning systems, refining indicators, and conducting evaluations to generate evidence that helps the Foundation expand digital financial services—connecting women and low-income communities with the tools they need to thrive.

woman in traditional african dress looking at phone

The Wallace Foundation

AIR is working shoulder-to-shoulder with The Wallace Foundation, their partners, and seven cross-sector partnerships on Wallace’s nationwide initiative, Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents. Together, we’re defining what works to advance youth economic mobility, why, and how it can be scaled for lasting impact.

Ascendium Education Philanthropy

Ascendium Education Philanthropy partnered with AIR to advance the field of rural postsecondary education research. AIR is helping identify research priorities, support funded partners, and synthesize cross-project learning—turning individual studies into actionable insights that strengthen practice and inform the field.

Native American students walking in school hallway