The Imperative of Impact: Why Nonprofits Should Evaluate Programs Based on Impact Goals
Authored by | Simply the Basics
In the realm of nonprofit work, the pursuit of positive change is the crux of an employee and volunteer’s motivation for doing the work.. Every action, every email sent, every task, every initiative, and every dollar spent should ideally contribute to a tangible improvement in the lives of those served in some direct or indirect way. Yet, amid the flurry of activities and the urgency of needs, it's easy for organizations to lose sight of the bigger picture.
This is where the concept of impact evaluation is such an important - and ongoing - aspect of nonprofit management. In this blog post, we delve into the importance of setting and evaluating impact goals, focusing particularly on nonprofits distributing hygiene supplies, and we'll explore some examples of impactful goals you can consider for your organization as you have these conversations.
We should always be asking ourselves, “So What?”. We distribute hygiene… so what? What is changed in a person’s life because they have access to hygiene? If it is that their health improved, so What? What are they now able to do because of improved health?
Remember - this work is not only about WHAT we do, but WHY we do it!
Why Evaluate Based on Impact Goals?
Clarity of Purpose: Setting impact goals forces nonprofits to clarify their objectives and articulate exactly what they aim to achieve. It's not just about distributing hygiene supplies; it's about the broader impact those supplies are meant to have, whether it's improving health outcomes, boosting self-esteem, or enhancing access to education.
Accountability and Transparency: Donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries all deserve to know that their contributions are making a real difference. By evaluating programs based on impact goals, nonprofits can demonstrate accountability and transparency, showing stakeholders that their resources are being used effectively and efficiently.
Continuous Improvement: Impact evaluation isn't just a one-time exercise; it's an ongoing process of learning and adaptation. By regularly assessing progress toward impact goals, nonprofits can identify what's working well and what needs improvement, or what activities must shift to better achieve a goal, leading to continuous refinement and optimization of programs.
Resource Optimization: Nonprofits often operate with limited resources, so it's crucial to ensure that those resources are being allocated in the most impactful way possible. By evaluating programs based on impact goals, organizations can prioritize activities and investments that have the greatest potential for positive change.
Example Impact Goals for hygiene services and distribution programs
Improved Health Outcomes: One of the primary goals for nonprofits distributing hygiene supplies could be to improve health outcomes among the target population. This could include reducing the incidence of preventable diseases, such as infections or skin conditions, through the promotion of proper hygiene practices. You can evaluate this through Public Health reports, surveys to clients, and feedback from partners working with clients directly.
Increased School Attendance: For nonprofits focused on serving children and families, a key impact goal could be to increase school attendance rates. Access to hygiene supplies, such as soap and menstrual hygiene products, can remove barriers to education by ensuring that children can attend school regularly and confidently. You can evaluate this by working with nurses to understand if fewer students are missing classes due to needing hygiene access or with the school case managers/social workers to understand attendance rates.
Employability for Clients: Similar to enhanced attendance, you can help to enhance a person’s ability to apply for, interview with, or maintain existing employment. You can learn about this through client surveys.
Enhanced Dignity and Well-being: Hygiene supplies aren't just about physical health; they also play a crucial role in preserving dignity and promoting overall well-being. Nonprofits could set goals related to restoring dignity and self-esteem among marginalized populations, such as homeless individuals or refugees, by providing access to essential hygiene items.
Improvements in Relationships: Access to hygiene could help a person to become more integrated and connected to their community, their family, or friendships. In what ways are recipients that receive items ongoing able to feel better connection to the other people in their lives? This is an excellent question for recipients that receive products ongoing.
Community Empowerment and Sustainability: Beyond the immediate impact on individuals, nonprofits can also aim to empower communities and promote sustainability. This could involve initiatives focused on education and training around hygiene practices, as well as efforts to establish local infrastructure for hygiene supply distribution and waste management.
Reduced Environmental Impact: In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, nonprofits distributing hygiene supplies can also set goals related to reducing their environmental footprint. This could include initiatives to minimize packaging waste, promote eco-friendly product alternatives, or implement recycling programs.
All of the above goals are examples that your team can discuss as ones that you hope to achieve. It is important that once you establish your goals, you create methods for HOW you will prove if they are achieved or not. (Stay tuned for an upcoming blog and webinar specifically on creating systems for evaluations based on program goals!).
Depending upon the goals that you set, it might shift the way that you provide services. And this is a GOOD thing! We should always be changing and amending our assumptions for how services should be provided based on what we learn is the most necessary for achieving our goals.
Conclusion
By evaluating programs based on impact goals, organizations can ensure that their efforts are aligned with their mission, accountable to their stakeholders, and optimized for positive change. For nonprofits distributing hygiene supplies, impact goals can encompass a wide range of outcomes, from improved health and education to enhanced dignity and sustainability.
Ultimately, it's not just about what nonprofits do; it's about the difference they make in the lives of those they serve.