Outcome Measurements Articles
Analyze Outcome Information: Getting the Most from Data
This is the first in a series of guidebooks from the Urban Institute on outcome measures. It covers the necessary steps for nonprofit organizations that wish to implement outcome management (also known as "managing for results"), and includes guidance on establishing an outcome-oriented measurement process and practices for using the information internally.
Click to read the full article
Common Myths Regarding Outcome Measures
Taken from "The Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation" by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD.
Click to read the full article
Evaluation Tools
Innovation Network, a nonprofit organization in Washington that helps charities assess the impact of their work, has expanded the evaluation tools that it offers online. And all of the evaluation tools are free.
Click to read the full article
Four Keys to Successful Outcome Management
Click to read the full article
Improving Organizational Effectiveness
During the past few years, there has been heightened emphasis on the concept of nonprofit capacity building--the increase of investment in organization and management
Click to read the full article
Issues and Challenges of Outcome Measures
– Keeping Your Outcome Measures Simple
Click to read the full article
Key Steps in Outcome Measurement
This article is provided courtesy of The Urban Institute. This nonpartisan organization publishes studies, reports, and books addressing timely topics worthy of public consideration.
The nonprofit sector is being increasingly pressured to provide evidence that its resources are improving the lives of clients, regardless of the size of the organization. While this is not a new philosophy, it is absolutely crucial in today's sober atmosphere of competitive fundraising and increasing needs. Make no mistake about it: organizations that can't empirically demonstrate that their programs are making a difference will eventually go out of business. It is just that simple.
This guide provides an overview of an outcome measurement process, identifying specific steps and providing suggestions for examining and using the information. As the authors state, any successful outcome measurement program must include a process to measure outcomes plus a methodology to use that information to improve services and organizational outcomes.
Click to read the full article (PDF)
New Profit, Inc. Performance-Based Funding
New Profit (NPI) is a nonprofit venture philanthropy firm with a goal to affect large-scale social change by applying venture capital practices. NIP is dedicated to performance-based funding coupled with management development support for winning social entrepreneurs. They believe in partnering with winners, supporting their growth efforts and using benchmarks and performance measurements to hold them accountable to generating increased social change. With support from progressive foundations, individuals and other grant-making organizations, NPI is building a community of like-minded thinkers dedicated to creating the new philanthropy.
Outcome Measures Simplified
On Wednesday, July 7th, we had our monthly "Ask the Expert" online e-training featuring Dawn Smart on "Issues and Challenges of Outcome Measures - Keeping Your Measures Simple." Couldn't make the session? Check out the transcript below (Microsoft Word document).
Click to read the full article
Setting Balanced Performance Measures
Performance measurement and management are hot topics for nonprofits, with an increasing amount of scrutiny becoming an important factor.
In his book Balanced Scorecard: Step by Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies, Paul R. Niven offers suggestions for improving performance.
Click to read the full article
Ten Tips for Developing Your Outcome Measurement Strategy
Outcome Measurement assists organizations in gauging the effectiveness of their programs. For CCF intermediary organizations, measuring outcomes is not only a means to gauge the effectiveness of their T&TA activities and sub-award program, it is also part of the program reporting requirements.
During the May 2004 Training Conference, a peer-to-peer learning session was held to exchange ideas about strategies and techniques intermediaries can use to measure outcomes and indicators once those metrics have been defined.
Click to read the full article
Why Measure Performance?
The sector is abuzz about measuring nonprofit performance. But according to a new survey, many individual donors don't care about the performance metrics that foundations and nonprofits hold dear. By in large, individual donors give money rather indiscriminately. They think that virtually all nonprofits do social good. They give primarily because they know someone who is connected to that nonprofit. What's a measurement proponent to do?
Click to read the full article
If you have trouble reading this e-newsletter due to formatting issues, or visible HTML code, or if you would like to discuss content-related issues, please contact Bill Freeman, NRC e-Newsletter Editor at wjf@daremightythings.com.
Hypertext links and other references to non-CCF products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the CCF, DHHS, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy.