The ImpactStory™ Academy gives you everything you need.

Nonprofits and funders who enroll in our ImpactStory™ Academy will receive:

  • Nine 90-minute classes, plus 30 minutes after each class for individual questions. You get a total of 18 hours of live learning. PLUS: it’s recorded so you can revisit the material and train new people.
  • Workbook and Toolbox including all the resources you need to build out the Strategy at your organization.
  • A growing library of short but deep dive, on-demand videos on topics like increasing response rates.
  • Ongoing membership in the ImpactStory™ Network where you can ask questions, build relationships, and share information.

The Academy has run 3 sessions so far, including 33 organizations and 68 people.

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Detailed Academy Description

“This is a master class. This is really, really dynamite information! Thank you!”

Elizabeth Borst, Advocacy Director, Virginia Fresh Match

The ImpactStory™ Academy is
for you if…

  • You are part of a nonprofit service provider and or a funder of them. Registration is per organization (not individual); include as many staff as you like!

  • You are serious about measuring impact, but need a starting point.

  • You want to understand how to set up and make impact measurement successful and useful.

  • You have at least one staff person who can commit to attending all classes.

  • You have at least basic Excel skills (i.e., understand formulas and how to create graphs).

  • You are curious and growth-oriented.

“My interest in storytelling drew me to the Academy, but I didn’t realize how personal and practical the Academy was going to be. I expected something more cookie cutter. Maryfrances did a really wonderful job of linking the sessions not just to our individual organizations, but to what we were working on in the moment. That was really refreshing and really valuable.. “

David Worrell, Board of Directors, BookEnds

Week 1

Lesson: Welcome and Orientation

Take Aways: Understand how the ImpactStory™ Strategy can be used at your organization.

Week 2

Lesson: Strong Frameworks

Take Aways: Learn about a Strategic Impact Map, and get started building your own.

Week 3

Lesson: Programs that Work

Take Aways: Learn how to cite the programs and impact in your Strategic Impact Map so you are showing why your approach is a good idea.

Week 4

Lesson: Ahhh. Clarity.

Take Aways: Work together to complete your cited Strategic Impact Map. You now have articulated your plan and why it should lead to long-term impact and systems change.

Week 5

Lesson: Smart Data Collection

Take Aways: Tracking achievements, plus smart surveys, are efficient data collection. Partners can be responsive to clients and track progress toward goals.

7 out of 10 participants say this is one of the most helpful sessions!

Week 6

Lesson: Painless Data Collection

Take Aways: Nonprofits and funders only need a handful of Excel formulas and two graphs, No statistics necessary!

Week 7

Lesson: Where storytelling really begins

Take Aways: Context is critical in discovering the story behind the data. An inclusive team process for learning results in understanding the real story.

Week 8

Lesson: Masterful Data Visualization

Take Aways: Engaging data visualizations, graphics, and dashboards are essential for communicating impact in a way people can understand.

Week 9

Lesson: Powerful Impact Stories

Take Aways: There are really only 4 kinds of stories you need to tell. Weaving data and client narratives together invites connection and builds credibility.

“The ImpactStory Academy was an awesome experience. I recommend it for anyone in the non-profit setting especially those tasked with annual reports, impact reports, one-pagers, and any kind of data collection with clients and end users. Maryfrances is extremely skilled at making complex information relatable and engaging.. “

Anonymous Survey Feedback, ImpactStory Academy Survey

You’ll leave the ImpactStory™ Academy with…

  • A complete toolkit so everything you learn is at your fingertips.

  • A completed Strategic Impact Map™

  • Nonprofits: a revised survey; Funders: a template for tracking portfolio performance

  • Everything you need to know to implement ImpactStory™ at your organization.

  • Never be alone with your data again – enjoy ongoing membership to the ImpactStory™ Network!

“I just want to express that the clarity and soundness of reasoning that ImpactStory brought to our work has been TRANSFORMATIONAL! It has literally reframed the work our development team is doing; our impact is clear and solid. Our whole team is now on the same page. Our work with you helped us get there! Thank you, thank you!”

Rose Cole, Director of Community Engagement, Madison House

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