18 Ways to Say “Impact”
A topic that came up recently in the ImpactStory Academy is all the different words for IMPACT. I started a quick list and came up with 18 different words - I know, right!
The Secret to Unbiased Understanding of Your Data
I've worked with hundreds of social sector leaders and everyone is worried about understanding their data in the most objective way possible.
Nonprofits CANNOT Measure Long-term Impact
I'm being provocative - and - once someone leaves services you can no longer control what happens. The world is a complex and chaotic place. Your clients use what you gave them immediately, later, or (sadly) never. You have literally no control.
3 Data Culture Must-Have’s
I worked with an organization which wanted to be dedicated to collecting and using data. But, data was only seen as a fundraising tool, so they didn't create a positive data culture.
3 Steps to Power
I know - because I've been there with you - that measuring the goodness nonprofits put out into the world can feel cumbersome.
2 Critical Nonprofit KPIs
Corporations are focused on KPIs and profit because better KPIs result in higher profit. What does this mean for the nonprofits they invest in? How do nonprofits - who produce goodness not profit - speak to their corporate funders?
Why Nonprofits Should NOT do Program Evaluation
The scientific method just doesn't fit the budget, the mission, or the needs of nonprofits in the complex, day-to-day work of providing critical services. What the nonprofits I worked with needed was actionable data
All You Need to Know About Statistics in <300 Words
I definitely believe we should all have the basic ability to be wise consumers of data, because there's a lot of bad and misleading data out there. But, I think it goes a step too far to say nonprofit leaders should be able to engage in "statistical thinking."
What do I do with all this data?
Since making a difference is at the heart of all the efforts of foundations and their grantees, it's natural to want to know if the work is actually benefiting people. But how do you measure THAT?
3 Myths about Data Stories
Lots of people are uncomfortable about putting their understanding of the data out there. "What if I'm wrong? What if I don't have enough information?"