where is your organization on its impact journey?
Our impact journey assessment is a dynamic tool designed to help organizations of all stripes move to the next level in impact measurement and leadership. The purpose of this quiz is to help you where you are on the spectrum and clearly define your next step in embedding impact measurement, storytelling, and thought leadership into your organization.
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identify your purpose
Ah, purpose–it’s your raison d’etre, your ultimate why. Defining your purpose as a mission-driven organization is your first step in generating positive impact. Your purpose captures the problem you hope to solve and system-level change you hope to achieve. It defines why you exist and how your organization is uniquely suited to generate positive impact in a specific ecosystem. Your purpose can be both lofty and specific, and it should be informed by collaborators and participants.
case study example
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focus your theory of change
A theory of change (TOC) is a logic model that provides the foundation for your organization’s impact: the overall program of interventions you plan to pursue and how you think these efforts will make a difference. Your TOC answers these three questions: what impact do you hope to achieve? What is the mechanism by which you achieve that impact? How will you know when you’ve achieved it? A robust TOC will be informed by a thoughtful understanding of existing interventions and deep partnership with the people whose lives you hope to improve.
case study example
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formalize your impact framework
Measure what matters: this adage is as true in social impact as it is in business. After defining your purpose and theory of change, your organization should develop your impact measurement framework and strategy. This includes 1) what you plan to measure and 2) how you plan to measure it. Your IM framework should clearly delineate between countable outputs, such as the number of people served, and outcomes, which are the overall value/benefit/impact of your initiatives for the people they serve. Your framework should also include specific Key Performance Indicators with metrics, clear data sources, a time-related component, and an owner.
case study example
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measure your impact
Now that you have an IM framework, it’s time to actually execute on impact measurement. A dynamic approach to IM includes both qualitative and quantitative measurement. Qualitative measurement might include surveys, interviews, ethnographies, focus groups, and other methods that help to excavate the lived experience of those you hope to serve. Quantitative measurement might include analyzing data or building statistical models from open-source or proprietary data sets from multiple sources.
case study example
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demonstrate your impact
Demonstrating your impact through data, design, and dynamic storytelling can galvanize supporters to your cause and raise visibility. Each of these components is key in bringing your impact to life and creating a memorable narrative that partners, participants, and others can share. Your approach to demonstrating your impact might align with industry-leading frameworks and include impact reports, case studies, microsites, films, data dashboards, and more.
case study example
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amplify your impact
Congratulations! Your organization has bridged purpose with practice by honing your measurement with careful and deliberate action. As you know, it takes time to reach this level of sophistication. You are in an excellent position to share your thought leadership and engage in transparent discussions with the field about your progress and process. Help others refine best practices alongside your pursuit of continuous improvement. And remember - social impact is about what you do internally as much as it is externally so keep working to ensure your values match your actions.
case study example
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