Nonprofit Adviser

iStockphoto

It’s no secret that sharing the results of your nonprofit’s hard work can be a boon for fundraising and a ticket to deeper connections with your supporters. But finding ways to accurately measure — and effectively convey — the impact of your organization is easier said than done.

In her latest article, my colleague Lisa Schohl offered 10 dos and don’ts when sharing your nonprofit’s results.

Step one? Decide what impact means for your organization, given your distinct mission. For a food bank, it might be helping to make sure that families have meals on the table. For an advocacy organization, it might be a series of policy wins or a slate of new organizers activated.

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to find ways to measure your progress, Cindy Eby, founder of the data company ResultsLab, told Lisa. “Most organizations have some things they’re wondering about,” said Eby. “Start there, and capture data to answer those questions.”

It’s also important that nonprofits plan ahead and be consistent when it comes to measuring impact. If you don’t, you might find yourself scrambling and end up with an impact report that lacks the kind of data and storytelling that wows supporters.

“What we often see is, you know, GivingTuesday is coming up in November, and the executive director is like, ‘We need an impact report,’” Sheri Chaney Jones, CEO of the company SureImpact told Lisa. “And the poor fundraisers are like, ‘Well, there’s no impact data.’”

For more actionable insights, check out Lisa’s article: Show How Your Nonprofit Is Making a Difference: 10 Dos and Don’ts. You might also want to take a look at our recent webinar on how to measure impact or our set of tips and tools for demonstrating the impact of your nonprofit’s work.

Have a lovely week,
Sara Herschander
Staff Reporter

Be open and honest with vendors about what you’re hoping to spend, says Fallon Sullivan, director of special events and projects at the New York Botanical Garden, and see if they can meet you in the middle. Offer to hire them for multiple events, she says, so they’ll know more money is coming and see you as a potential partner rather than someone who’s seeking a one-time favor. Don’t be afraid to ask your community for help, Sullivan adds. For example, she once had to produce an event with no budget for décor, so she asked a local pop-up restaurant that was set to close before the event if it would consider donating or lending its decorations, and it agreed. “If you don’t ask, you’re already at a place of no,” she says. “And especially if they’re your neighbors or in your community, they’re more likely to say yes.” Learn more in the article, A Dozen Ways to Create Events Donors Love — Without Spending a Fortune.

Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to GrantStation’s database of grant opportunities.

Animal Companions: The AKC (American Kennel Club) Humane Fund’s Women’s Shelters Grant program provides financial assistance to domestic abuse shelters in the United States that accept pets. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations that provide temporary or permanent housing for victims of domestic abuse and their pets. Nonprofit organizations that provide housing for victims’ pets (pet shelters) and have a working relationship with at least one shelter for victims of domestic abuse are also eligible to apply.

Performing Arts: USArtists International, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts, supports in-person performances by U.S. artists and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines at international festivals, global presenting arts marketplaces, and other eligible engagements outside of the United States. The aim is to encourage the presence of U.S. performing artists on international stages and support international tours that develop and expand the careers and artistic goals of U.S. performers by providing connections with presenters, curators, and fellow artists; promote cross cultural exchange through performances or additional activities and workshops; and elevate traditions, aesthetics, art forms, and voices that have been historically underrepresented. Matching grants of up to $11,000 are provided for eligible travel expenses; application deadline February 26.