Services & Solutions
La Piana Consulting was brought in to guide development of the strategy for this initiative, identify national grantees, organize and oversee a Bechtel program team, and supervise what became a $140MM initiative.
Outcome & Results
The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Character Initiative was a resounding success. The grantees included thirteen of the largest and best-known youth development organizations in the nation, ranging from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to the YMCA, as well as a cohort of California-based afterschool intermediaries. The strategy focused on improving adult practice with youth through the dissemination of evidence-based techniques. The Initiative funded research, experimental pilots, and the development of training resources. One of its most consequential impacts was the creation of communities of practice among the grantees. Program leaders, evaluators, policy experts, and CEOs each formed their own lively cohorts, meeting regularly and forging close professional bonds that enabled the open sharing of lessons learned, struggles as well as successes. La Piana organized and facilitated the CEO community of practice.
