The author describes potential evaluation capacity-building activities in contrast to the specifics of an evaluation design. Her response to the case of the Bunche-Da Vinci Learning Partnership Academy is developed in three parts: (1) an initial framing of the Bunche-Da Vinci situation; (2) what should be done before signing a contract; and (3) how to begin the project, realizing that it would evolve. Initial framing of the situation requires distinguishing among three types of knowledge: (1) knowledge of program content; (2) knowledge of program evaluation in general; and (3) evaluation content knowledge. Before signing an evaluation contract, reconnoitering and negotiating should be conducted. Once an agreement is in place, the writer suggests five key activities to help develop a culture of evaluation and increase evaluation capacity: (1) creating an evaluation advisory group; (2) beginning to build a formal evaluation infrastructure; (3) making sense of test scores; (4) conducting one highly visible participatory inquiry; and (5) instituting action research activities.