About Shaffer Evaluation Group

ABOUT SEG

Evidence That Moves Communities Forward

Shaffer Evaluation Group (SEG) is an independent research and consulting firm helping organizations understand their impact, strengthen their programs, and plan for the future.

Since 2013, we have partnered with educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, tribal communities, government agencies, foundations, and nonprofits to address complex challenges through research, evaluation, grant development, and strategic planning.

We believe evidence is most valuable when it leads to action. Our work goes beyond collecting and analyzing data to helping clients make informed decisions, communicate results, and create meaningful, lasting change in the communities they serve.

OUR FOCUS
We work where evidence meets opportunity.

Our clients are working to improve educational outcomes, expand access to the arts, strengthen communities, and make public and philanthropic investments more effective. We help them answer important questions, identify opportunities, and translate ideas into practical strategies.

Our work spans K–12 and higher education, arts and culture, tribal communities, government, and the nonprofit sector. Across these settings, we bring an interdisciplinary perspective and experience working with organizations of different sizes, missions, and resources.

Through our four core service areas, Research & Special Studies, Program & Grant Evaluation, Grant Development & Writing, and Strategic Planning, we help clients:

Investigate complex questions, understand community needs, and generate evidence to guide decisions.
Assess implementation and outcomes, demonstrate results, and support continuous improvement.
Transform promising ideas into competitive, evidence-informed proposals.
Engage stakeholders, establish priorities, and develop actionable plans for the future.

Whether supporting a local community initiative or a national program, our goal is the same: to produce credible evidence and practical insights that help organizations achieve their missions.

OUR VALUES

We believe the best work happens in partnership.

Strong research and consulting partnerships require more than technical expertise. They depend on trust, open communication, and an understanding of the people and communities behind the data.

At SEG, four principles guide how we work.

Collaboration. We begin by listening. Our clients and their stakeholders bring essential knowledge and experience to the table, and we work alongside them to develop approaches that are responsive to their goals and circumstances.

Rigor. We use sound research methods and carefully designed processes to ensure our findings are credible, objective, and defensible. We tailor our approach to each project without compromising the quality of the evidence.

Transparency. We communicate regularly, share emerging findings, and involve clients in interpreting results. There should be no surprises at the end of an evaluation or study.

Utility. We believe research should be used, not simply reported. We focus on producing clear findings and actionable recommendations that inform decisions, improve programs, and support lasting results.

These principles shape our work from the first conversation through the final deliverable—and often across years of continued partnership.

Grant Project Director, School District

"Working with Shaffer Evaluation Group is like having a thought partner throughout the process."

OUR MISSION
We turn evidence into meaningful change.

Our mission is to help mission-driven organizations use research, evaluation, and planning to strengthen programs, improve outcomes, and advance the well-being of the communities they serve.

We believe good evidence can do more than demonstrate accountability. It can challenge assumptions, reveal overlooked needs, elevate community voices, and open new possibilities for action.

We are committed to work that is methodologically sound, grounded in local context, and responsive to the people most affected by the decisions our clients make.

Ultimately, our success is measured not simply by the studies we complete or the reports we deliver, but by how our work helps clients move forward.

OUR EXPERTISE

Different sectors. Shared commitment to impact.

From K–12 classrooms and college campuses to museums, cultural festivals, and Tribal communities, our work is united by a commitment to understanding what works, for whom, and under what circumstances.

We bring deep experience across K–12 education, higher education, arts and culture, and Tribal initiatives, supporting organizations as they assess outcomes, strengthen programs, inform policy, and plan for the future. Our work spans public agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and community-based initiatives.

Each sector presents distinct opportunities and challenges. We combine specialized knowledge of the environments in which our clients operate with the ability to draw insights and approaches from across disciplines. Whether evaluating educational programs, examining cultural impact, supporting Tribal priorities, or guiding organizational strategy, we tailor our methods to each client's goals, context, and communities.

Our interdisciplinary team brings together expertise in research, evaluation, education, public policy, arts and culture, and organizational planning. Across every engagement, we pair methodological rigor with practical insight to deliver evidence that supports informed decisions and meaningful change.

Let's put evidence to work.

Whether you're evaluating an existing initiative, exploring a new opportunity, developing a grant proposal, or planning your organization's next chapter, SEG can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Let's talk about your goals.