The practicum experience strengthens connections between the Funders and producers of evaluation and its intended beneficiaries while advancing inclusion in the fields of philanthropy and evaluation toward equity. The practicum experience benefits Scholars as well as Practicum Sites.

Practicum Project Structure

The Practicum experience is expected to be executed virtually over a six-to-eight month timeline. The Practicum provides Scholars with contract evaluation experience and an opportunity to apply what they have learned from the other components of the LEEAD Program. Practicum Sites contracts with LEEAD Scholars to complete one or more discrete components of an evaluation project (e.g., Collaborating to design evaluation, logic model/theory of change development, measure development, data collection and analysis, and report writing). See examples of Practicum Projects from the Cohort 3 and Cohort 4!

When possible, Practicum Sites are encouraged to contract with more than one Scholar to maximize peer learning and support. While it is not necessary for Scholars to be working on the same project, in the same department, or under the same supervisor, such opportunities may contribute to a stronger cohort experience among Scholars.

You’ll Participate in These Ways:

• Attending a webinar orientation detailing the LEEAD Practicum experience.
• Developing project descriptions and scope of work for Scholars to apply for, based on an existing or new evaluation project.
• Interviewing Scholars from the pool of applications received through the practicum matching process.
• Contracting directly with a LEEAD Scholar or multiple Scholars for a minimum of 60-80 hours over the course of the practicum experience.
• Providing Scholars with a competitive hourly salary commensurate with senior researcher-level contractors.
• Engaging Scholars as thought partners to strengthen the CREE approach to the Practicum Project.
• Having project supervisors act in a coaching capacity; managing the Scholar in the same manner they would manage their staff and be expected to virtually check in with Scholars weekly during the practicum experience.
• Participating in a community of practice with fellow Practicum Sites.
• Completing evaluation surveys to provide feedback on the LEEAD model and experience.

Apply Now!

Complete the application to express interest in your organization’s participation as a Practicum Site for the LEEAD Program. The LEEAD Program Team will reach out to schedule a short interview once we have been able to review your application. Applications are due by September 26, 2025. Project descriptions will be collected in October 17, 2025.

In an effort to make the Practicum Host Site opportunity more inclusive, Expanding the Bench® is piloting Practicum Site Sponsorships to bridge resource gaps for organizations that would otherwise be unable to host Scholars. Sponsored by funders, these funds are intended to support organizations for whom cost is a primary barrier to participation. This sponsorship provides direct funding to the host organization to cover the Scholar’s consulting fee for the practicum project. If your organization is interested in becoming a Practicum Host Site but are unsure about your ability to support a Scholar’s compensation, we encourage you to still apply. Sponsorship is not guaranteed, and we appreciate your candid responses to help us prioritize support.