In these times of tight resources, the question of what is working is an important one. So is how to measure it. Evaluation is big business. I am often reminded of a colleague who asked at a meeting about evaluation if we value what we measure or measure what we value? Good food for thought.

While big issues such as poverty and injustice loom as large systemic challenges, change is most dramatic when we see how it affects individuals. The Gates Foundation is a familiar name and its mega-grants often dwarf the resources of other foundations. In keeping its manner of doing things in a big way, the Foundation recently launched the Living Proof Project. It is a multi-year campaign designed to show how U.S.-supported initiatives to fight malaria, AIDS, and other diseases are saving and improving the lives of millions of people in developing countries. The web site tag line is “U. S. investments in global health are working.”

Check the videos, infographics and photo gallery and the reports of evidence of success. In addition to the website it has launched a television ad. Check it out. Maybe this will start a trend of foundations doing ads to show their impact. What do you think? Comments are welcome.