Get the Data You Need to Prove the Impact of Your Nonprofit’s Programs

Measurable outcomes. Metrics. Programmatic ROI. If you’ve worked for a nonprofit organization, you know that funders require data to justify their philanthropic efforts. Justifiably so – don’t we all want to get the biggest bang for our buck?

As you carefully plan your programs, creating achievable and measurable outcome statements is essential to securing funding. To demonstrate your program(s) impact, you need benchmark data. You need statistical evidence that you are inspiring change, that the people you serve are benefiting from their efforts and your planning or facilitation. 

Possip works with nonprofit organizations to break traditional barriers to getting real time data. We help organizations collect that critical data in the easiest way possible: through a text message. And if your participants don’t have access to a phone, we provide a weblink that they can use well. Our team works with you to make sure your Pulse Check questions are consistent, quick, and written in a clear and simple way that is easy to understand and for our technology to translate into over 100 languages.

Consider all the surveys and self-reporting you ask of your participants. Most likely, you gather beginning-of-the-program information to help you establish your baseline. Then you might have a survey or exit ticket after every session or mid-program to make sure you’re on course. At the end there’s a final survey to see demonstrable growth over the course of your program.

Pulse Checks can help you track that data over time – as often as weekly if you choose. Below we’ve rounded up examples of questions nonprofits have asked the people they serve through Pulse Checks.

Questions Nonprofits Ask The People They Serve Through Pulse Checks

Determining Participant Needs

• What is your biggest barrier to meeting goals? Please respond with ALL number choices that apply: 1) Transportation 2) Childcare 3) Time 4) Debt 5) Relationship(s) 6) Education 7) Health 8) Other, please share
• What is a goal you currently have and how can your assigned staff person help you meet it?

Measuring Program Impact

• Has [this program] helped you and your family progress towards your goals? Please reply: YES, MOSTLY, or NO.

Gauging Satisfaction, General

• Would you refer a friend to [our org]? Please reply: YES, MAYBE, or NO and share any additional comments.

Gauging Satisfaction, Specific Programming Elements

• How satisfied have you been with your [case manager]? Please respond with a number from the choices below: 1) Very satisfied 2) Satisfied 3) Neutral 4) Unsatisfied 5) Very unsatisfied
• What feedback do you have for how we can improve the enrollment process?
• How accommodating has your assigned staff member been to working with your schedule? Please answer with a number from the choices below and any additional explanation of the reason: 1) Very accommodating 2) Accommodating 3) Not very accommodating 4) Not accommodating at all
• On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being very helpful and 5 being very unhelpful), how would you rate the [program workbook]? 1) Very helpful 2) Helpful 3) Neutral 4) Unhelpful 5) Very unhelpful

Surveying Interest

• Program participants will have future access to [an additional program]. It is a free program that focuses on helping people build better budgeting habits. Are you interested in signing up for this when it becomes available? Please reply: YES, MAYBE, or NO.

What data do you need to collect to demonstrate your program’s impact? How would your program change or evolve if you had regular insights into the needs, ideas, and top concerns of the people you serve? 

We’d love to partner with you to amplify their voices – whether it’s to support you in a grant proposal or to help create metrics to share with your Board of Directors. Let’s talk about what Pulse Checks could look like for your organization!

Let’s talk!

Speed Read (tldr) of Get the Data You Need to Prove the Impact of Your Nonprofit’s Programs

1. Data Collection for Impact Measurement: Nonprofits need benchmark data and measurable outcomes to demonstrate program effectiveness to funders. Utilizing tools like Pulse Checks, which enable real-time data collection via text or web, can streamline this process.

2. Comprehensive Feedback Mechanism: Pulse Checks facilitate ongoing engagement by gathering participant feedback on barriers, satisfaction, and program impact, allowing organizations to adapt and improve services based on direct input from those they serve.

3. Support for Program Improvement and Funding: Regular insights from participants help nonprofits refine their offerings and enhance grant proposals, ultimately strengthening their case for funding and improving overall programmatic ROI.

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