catherine foster

Offered a wide range of policy analysis, strategic advice, program design, advocacy, research, evaluation and other services to non-profit and philanthropic organizations, focusing on low-income children, youth and families. Generated sustained impact through actionable data, policy advocacy, and recommendations on strategy and program improvement. Clients included: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, The California Endowment, James Irvine Foundation, Communities for Public Education Reform/Public Interest Projects, Children's Defense Fund-California, Alliance for Children of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties; Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties, and many more.

Wrote the local legislation implementing federal welfare reform and child support law for the District of Columbia. Advised local government on welfare policy.

Provided the tools and expertise to enable state and local child advocates across the country to promote child well-being through a wide range of anti-poverty initiatives and programs. (Organization now called Voices for America's Children.)

Led grant making that supported effective, emerging non-profits and initiatives that improve the lives of children and youth in California. Directed and expanded the impact of the Westly Prize for Young Innovators of California, which honors the commitment and spirit of innovation of social entrepreneurs under age 28.

Managed the Foundation's first education advocacy evaluation, as well as other measurement, learning, and evaluation projects focused on postsecondary success for low-income young adults, and effective connections between higher ed and the Common Core. Developed the theory of change and related strategy materials that helped guide the advocacy and postsecondary program teams toward more effective analysis of their progress and more impact-oriented grantmaking. (Began consulting to the Foundation in 2010.)

Advocated for the well-being, safety, and independence of Spanish-speaking and foreign-born victims of domestic violence.

We power local philanthropy to make Silicon Valley a better place for all of us.

The Peninsula College Fund provides the tools for success in college and beyond to low-income first-generation college students. More than 95% of Peninsula College Fund scholars have graduated from college or attend college on the path to completion, while fewer than 25% of their peers complete college in 6 years. As Executive Director, grew grassroots organization to the next stage of development -- improving programs and operations, increasing annual fundraising by >300%, forging new partnerships, expanding staff and infrastructure, and enhancing impact.

Co-led variety of strategy and evaluation projects, including the multi-year evaluation of Communities for Public Education Reform, a national initiative involving 24 community organizing groups and allies, and more than 40 national and regional funders. Increased grantmakers' understanding of grantee progress and the most effective levers for change. National trainer and speaker on the evaluation of advocacy and community organizing work.

Activities and Societies: Vice President, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau

Activities and Societies: City Editor, Yale Daily News