Our Capacity-Building Approach

Respect. TEI is dedicated to building relationships that help us understand grantees’ needs, contexts, and priorities. We respect tribal processes and decision making, and we recognize that each tribe, tribal organization, and grantee team has its own priorities and requirements.

Responsiveness. TEI understands that grantees must consider many factors when developing and implementing evaluations. Our responsive approach integrates cultural and scientific rigor, community interests and priorities, contextual realities and constraints, and grant requirements. We draw upon the knowledge of partners, consultants, and experts to guide our work with grantees.

Community engagement. TEI supports tribal and community input and recognizes grantees’ responsibilities to tribal entities. We know it takes time to gather critical input from sources such as tribal and agency leadership, community advisory groups, program stakeholders, and cultural advisors and elders.

Capacity building. TEI builds evaluation capacity on a foundation of shared understanding and trust. We believe learning is reciprocal. We facilitate the application of technical and methodological expertise and adult learning principles while providing accessible, responsive, and tailored guidance for each grantee.