Even though most foundations may not have the resources to support an initiative of the scale and ambition of the TPPI, there are a number of lessons for the field that can be drawn from this experience. Among them:

The Significance of Dosage. Too often, foundations are naïve about the level of resources and amount of time required to really effect change. While an initiative like the TPPI is not the only structure that can support such work, it demonstrates the importance of substantial funding for a multilevel intervention (individual/family; community; public policy) over a sustained period of time in order to make significant progress on a complex problem like teen pregnancy.

On Building Capacity. Investing in capacity building has become common practice in philanthropy, but the TPPI illustrates the critical importance of providing adequate time and resources for planning as well as ongoing substantial funding for technical support, training and grantee conferences. One of the TPPI’s signal achievements was the way in which it helped to underwrite and encourage the use of data for decision making. The initial hot spot data set the tone for the enterprise, and the evaluation emphasized building local capacity for data collection and analysis from the beginning.

Expect Change. No matter how brilliant one’s theory of change or comprehensive one’s logic model, real-world implementation requires flexibility and adaptability. It takes more time than expected to roll out multiple components of an initiative. Commissioned research may not be completed until well after the time frame in which it might have helped to inform key decisions. Principal actors within the foundation and grantee organizations are likely to leave; moreover, low-income families and children may not stay in one place for the life of a program. Expectations for cumulative impact should be calibrated accordingly.

The Contribution of Strategic Media. Almost a quarter of the TPPI’s grant dollars supported a multiyear media campaign targeted at decision makers—with real impact. The Foundation’s independence was a key factor in putting out messages that were considered controversial in some circles but were backed by research and practice. The Ogilvy team worked assiduously to craft materials that were appropriately resonant with different cultural audiences and also partnered with frontline service providers to incorporate their perspective. The resulting campaign gave voice to community perspectives and helped to inspire and reinforce the work of other initiative components.

The Power of Peers. The Community Action Programs focused on young people playing key roles in influencing their peers. The Peer Provider clinic model has spread throughout the state, helping experienced health care providers to appreciate the many contributions young people can bring to a clinical setting. Finally, the awarding of scholarships to recognize the leadership of young people in teen pregnancy prevention became the personification of the TPPI for many of its participants.

Focus on Learning. The evaluation played an important role throughout the life of the Initiative in encouraging all participants to make continuous learning a priority. The TPPI particularly benefited from the continuity of a core group of senior support grantees. With the facilitation of Foundation staff, they built a learning community at the center of the initiative characterized by openness and mutual support. That kind of candid exchange happens all too rarely in foundation-sponsored programs; it was instrumental to the Initiative’s ultimate success.