A survey of theories of change within philanthropy

This paper surveys the concept of "theory of change" within philanthropy, examining its usage and definition among U.S. foundations. Findings reveal considerable confusion, with only 54% familiarity and no clear consensus on its definition. Despite theoretical assertions against simultaneously employing multiple theories, 86% of respondents reported using at least one, and many claimed to use all five typologies by Frumkin (2002). The study highlights a gap between theory and practice, advocating for further research into the effectiveness of concurrent application.