The Indigenous Youth Grant Program Evaluation: From Insights to Action

At Peter Gilgan Foundation, we are committed to continuous learning and improvement in our philanthropic work. This commitment led us to commission a program evaluation of the Indigenous Youth grant program.

Conducted by Lindsey Kirby-McGregor, a program evaluator from Whitefish River First Nation, the process engaged 17 grant partners and 9 peer funders and focused on three key questions: the nature of relationships with Indigenous partners, the effectiveness of program objectives, and the appropriateness of program processes.

Feedback from Our Partners: A Cause for Optimism

Key findings revealed the program’s strengths in building authentic partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations. Partners praised our team’s approach, noting our understanding of Indigenous worldviews, lack of hidden agendas, and trust in partners to define their own needs.

“Peter Gilgan Foundation was the first to interact with us through a personal understanding of Indigenous worldview. They asked questions relevant to the needs of the priority population we work with, and ensured it was clear what the funds were meant to do with the community.”

– Grantee Partner Evaluation Participant –

Charting Our Path Forward: Evaluation Recommendations

The evaluation report identified six key recommendations to guide our strategic planning:

1. Continue centering Indigenous self-determination
2. Build relationships as the core of philanthropic work
3. Formalize positive relationship-building practices
4. Develop pathways for integrating Indigenous perspectives
5. Review and refine existing processes
6. Plan for ongoing learning and future evaluations

After carefully analyzing all recommendations and the insights that inform them, our team has developed an implementation approach that starts with listening to our partners and staying true to our mission.

Implementation Strategy: A Cumulative Journey

Our implementation strategy launched in Fall 2024 and will continue to unfold across multiple phases:

• Fall 2024 – Foundational research into funding landscapes, peer approaches, and Indigenous self-determination principles / Internal alignment of evaluation insights with updated staff role descriptions and added transparency around program objectives and funding guidelines
• Early 2025 – Comprehensive review of operational processes, including grant applications and review metrics / Exploration of competition reduction strategies and collaborative funding approaches
• Spring 2025 – Develop policies formalizing relationship-centered practices and alignment with self-determination principles / Promote organizational-wide engagement including Board of Directors
• Fiscal Year 2026 and Beyond – Expansion of research into Indigenous governance models, umbrella support mechanisms, and government relations / Develop deeper strategic partnerships

We hope to ensure a dynamic, responsive implementation process that will adapt to changing community needs and insights.

From Action to Influence: Let the dialogue begin!

We are sharing these evaluation findings openly to celebrate this moment, facilitate accountability for action, and invite others to join our journey of meaningful transformation in Indigenous reconciliation efforts.

Over the coming months, we will provide updates on our implementation progress and welcome thoughts, feedback, and continued support as we move forward.

“We embrace this evaluation as more than just a review of current progress and practices. We see it as an opportunity to expand our support and improve how we show up for hard-working organizations and the people who lead them.”

– Hayley Gilgan, Indigenous Grants Liaison –