Systems Change is a Goal, NOT a Destination
I constantly see posts and blogs about the importance of the social sector making meaningful systems change. While systems change is a crucial goal, it's not something we're actually able to measure or be sure we can even ever accomplish. This is hard to explain - but I'm going to give it a first try here.
VIDEO: Systems Change is a Goal, NOT a Destination
VIDEO: I constantly see posts and blogs about the importance of the social sector making meaningful systems change. While systems change is a crucial goal, it's not something we're actually able to measure or be sure we can even ever accomplish. This is hard to explain - but I'm going to give it a first try here.
Trust-based Partnerships Make Way for Systems Change
It's through the collective efforts of Trust-based Philanthropy, the Equitable Evaluation Initiative, Capitalize Good, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, the Council on Foundations, the Council of Nonprofits, Fund for Shared Insight, Listen4Good, and their sister organizations, that we are moving closer to shifting power across the sector and toward the systems change we all envision.
VIDEO: Trust-based Partnerships Make Way for Systems Change
VIDEO: It's through the collective efforts of Trust-based Philanthropy, the Equitable Evaluation Initiative, Capitalize Good, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, the Council on Foundations, the Council of Nonprofits, Fund for Shared Insight, Listen4Good, and their sister organizations, that we are moving closer to shifting power across the sector and toward the systems change we all envision.
Scientific Rigor in the Social Sector
Basic and applied research require scientific rigor, Nonprofits and their funders are practitioner. Practitioner rigor is also important, but it looks very different than scientific rigor. You do not - and cannot - be scientifically rigorous with your data. But, you do need to thoughtfully and intentionally engage in rigorous practices. Let's call these high quality practices.
VIDEO: Scientific Rigor in the Social Sector
VIDEO: Basic and applied research require scientific rigor, Nonprofits and their funders are practitioner. Practitioner rigor is also important, but it looks very different than scientific rigor. You do not - and cannot - be scientifically rigorous with your data. But, you do need to thoughtfully and intentionally engage in rigorous practices. Let's call these high quality practices.
A Transformation of Program Evaluation
I have transformed traditional program evaluation into a first-of-its-kind framework and toolbox you can use day-to-day to track mission fulfillment and iteratively improve programs, separately or collaboratively together. Read about the ImpactStory™ Strategy and my upcoming book!
VIDEO: A Transformation of Program Evaluation
VIDEO: I have transformed traditional program evaluation into a first-of-its-kind framework and toolbox you can use day-to-day to track mission fulfillment and iteratively improve programs, separately or collaboratively together. Read about the ImpactStory™ Strategy and my upcoming book!
How to Turn Narrative Survey Responses into Data You Can Use
I almost always recommend including open-ended questions at the end of surveys. This allows you to get some free-form, narrative responses from your clients. These narrative responses can be rich and detailed, and can give you valuable, unexpected information. But, what do you DO with them?!?
VIDEO: How to Turn Narrative Survey Responses into Data You Can Use
VIDEO: I almost always recommend including open-ended questions at the end of surveys. This allows you to get some free-form, narrative responses from your clients. These narrative responses can be rich and detailed, and can give you valuable, unexpected information. But, what do you DO with them?!?