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Measurement Resources’ Monthly Article
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Corporate giving, foundations, donors, and government grant makers– they’ve change the way social service organizations operate. They expect organizations to demonstrate their value and prove how their services are making an impact. Organizations that are thriving in this new world are communicating their impact and value with numbers. They are willing to look into the mirror and have difficult conversation and discussions based on the facts. Demonstrating your value requires more than gathering reaction about services and testimonials. This type of data is great for communication materials, but it does not ensure immunity to funding cuts. Look at what’s happened to arts education organizations over the past few years. In general people like the arts and students increase their artistic skills in these programs; yet they have suffered great program and budget cuts. Why? Because many of these organizations have failed to discuss and show proof of how they solve the funder’s problems or address the priorities. This lack of evidence makes it easier for funders to cut them. It doesn’t have to be difficult to start tracking your unique impact and value. The first step is as simple as answering the following questions.
¨ What do your decision-makers and stakeholders care about? ¨ Why do they fund you? ¨ What problem do you solve or improve for them or their constituents? ¨ What need are you fulfilling? ¨ Who would be impacted if you closed your doors tomorrow? ¨ What are the consequences if you no longer provided your services? Be honest. Have the difficult conversations about your organization’s role in this world. If you don’t like the answers or find the exercise difficult -- focus on aligning your program to your funders’ goals and target populations’ current needs. Conducting research and focus groups can help you gather helpful data to make these changes. If you are confident about your stated impact and value, use the answers to these questions as the basis for your evaluation plan. Turn your answers into measures and start demonstrating your impact and improving your programs to have even more impact. In addition to making a huge impact on this world, you will attract the resources needed to provide the services in a much bigger way! Need help determining how best to measure and communicate your impact and value? Need someone to help your organization have those difficult conversations? Measurement Resources is here to help. Check out our Quick Start Performance Measures SystemTM or contact us to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation, 20 minute strategy session to discuss your needs and learn how Measurement Resources can provide the right solution and support to achieve your goals?
Sheri Chaney Jones President Measurement Resources Company February 2012
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The First Step to Outcome Evaluation |
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Measurement Resources Company, LLC 7639 Ashworth Pl. Columbus, OH 43235| 614.893.0773 | www.measurementresourcesco.com
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Sheri Chaney Jones -President and Founder Strengthening communities one organization at a time. |
