Impact Measurement
Establish a data-driven and evidence-informed culture that promotes results, learning and constant improvement
Establish a data-driven and evidence-informed culture that promotes results, learning and constant improvement
Impact is a term that is often used quite loosely to imply any type of change or progress; however, it requires a more nuanced treatment related to the organization’s theory of change, not only in terms of proving that there were positive changes, but also improving over time. There are many definitions of impact, but it typically refers to the intended and unintended (positive or otherwise) changes (outputs and outcomes) that occur across the organization (within and/or across its programs) and with its stakeholders (e.g., users, clients and partners) over a period of time, short or long term, as a result of the organization’s activities.
Measurement not only seeks to understand what changes occur when, but also why and how. Most nonprofits are familiar with monitoring (tracking short-term outputs and outcomes) and evaluation (assessing longer-term outcomes and impact) approaches. Impact measurement also involves organizing and assessing the evidence base (what we know and what we want to learn) and getting feedback from clients and stakeholders.
In this way, impact measurement is not just about proving impact, but also about improving impact through nurturing a data-driven and evidence-informed culture that promotes results, learning and constant improvement.
Many nonprofits, charities and social enterprises are seeking to better understand how to describe the impact that they are having on the people, organizations and issues they encounter in their line of work. At the same time, there is greater pressure to demonstrate impact to funders, boards and other stakeholders. In practice, impact measurement remains challenging, with inconsistent definitions, fragmented approaches and methods, and numerous technical and capacity challenges.
Innoweave’s Impact Measurement coaching stream strengthens the impact measurement approaches and capacities of nonprofits and charities by clarifying key concepts, reviewing potential approaches and choices, and applying actionable implementation guidance. This work includes:
The Innoweave self-assessment tool is designed to help you determine your organization's readiness and whether your initiative or program model is well suited for Impact Measurement.
This assessment has 5 questions.
Please respond to each of the questions to the best of your ability by choosing the option that most accurately reflects your organizational context.
Start NowFor groups interested in Innoweave’s Impact Measurement stream, we encourage you to review our Impact Measurement Info Session:
Innoweave offers coaching support to organizations that are well positioned to implement an Impact Measurement approach. You can connect with an Innoweave coach to help you explore and implement your initiative. Then apply to Innoweave for funds to support that coaching engagement.
Christie
Nash
Zach
Manntai
Zahra
Qureshi
Raissa
Marks
Joanna
Buczkowska-McCumber
Caitlin
Pentifallo Gadd
Catherine
Lang
Julie
Gilbert
Melek
De-Wint
Paula
Richardson
Your organization is eligible to apply for Innoweave coaching support if you have submitted an Expression of Interest and it has been approved.
Apply NowInnoweave’s info-sessions are free. We also provide funding for organizations to access coaching support, but requirements and subsidy levels vary across coaching streams. Visit our funding page to learn more.
Eligible organizations can apply up to three times annually. Applicants will receive a response within 6-8 weeks of these deadlines. To learn more about eligibility and deadlines, and for links to apply for coaching support, please visit our funding page.
We do not support organizations outside Canada or whose primary activity takes place outside of Canada.