Nonprofit Impact Measurement 101

Introduction

In this insightful webinar, Sherry Chaney Jones, founder and CEO of Sure Impact, shares her expertise on measuring and communicating the impact of nonprofit organizations. With over 20 years of experience in helping nonprofits use data to solve complex social problems, Sherry offers valuable insights for small social service nonprofits focused on family and child services. Viewers will learn practical strategies to quantify their unique impact, secure more grants, and create a data-driven culture within their organizations.

Sherry Chaney Jones introduces the concept of impact measurement as a critical tool for non-profits, emphasizing the need to move beyond simply counting services provided and instead focusing on outcomes that demonstrate quality and impact. She shares her extensive experience, detailing how non-profits can use data not only to prove their value but also to attract funding and secure sustainable resources, even during economic downturns.

The presentation highlights the five key strategies for managing outcomes effectively: adopting an outcomes-focused mindset, measuring the right elements, capturing relevant data, creating a data-driven culture, and effectively communicating the results. Sherry explains the “5 Whys” exercise, which helps organizations identify their true impact and align it with the needs of their participants and funders. She also stresses the importance of having technology systems in place, such as Sure Impact, to automate and simplify the process of collecting, analyzing, and communicating data.

Through real-life examples, Sherry illustrates how organizations have successfully implemented these strategies to improve their operations, scale their impact, and maintain funding. She encourages participants to develop a balanced scorecard approach, ensuring they have a comprehensive view of their program’s effectiveness and areas for improvement.

• Adopt outcomes thinking and create a high-performing measurement culture to improve organizational success and funding opportunities.
• Use the “5 Whys” exercise to identify key outcomes and impact measures that align with your mission and resonate with stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze data on who you serve, what activities you provide, and the outcomes achieved.
• Focus on measuring short-term and intermediate outcomes that your organization can directly influence.
• Leverage technology to streamline data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Communicate your impact using a combination of data and stories to engage both hearts and minds.
• Use impact data to make informed decisions, improve programs, and demonstrate value to funders.

• How can our organization shift from primarily measuring outputs (e.g., number of families served) to focusing on outcomes that demonstrate real impact on the lives of children and families we serve?
• What are the top 3-5 “elegant outcome measures” that would best communicate our nonprofit’s unique impact to funders, staff, and the families we work with?
• How can we create a data-driven culture within our organization that encourages staff at all levels to collect, analyze, and use impact data in their day-to-day work with families and children?