Comments on: To Measure or Not to Measure http://www.asmallchange.net/to-measure-or-not-to-measure/ Making sense of fundraising for non-profits. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:17:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Susan Hyatt http://www.asmallchange.net/to-measure-or-not-to-measure/comment-page-1/#comment-17965 Susan Hyatt Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:33:29 +0000 http://www.asmallchange.net/?p=250#comment-17965 Jason: I agree that figuring out how to provide information on measurable results to donors can be challenging. For over 14 years, I have been coaching/training nonprofits all around the country on how to measure the impact of their programs...and how to use that information with stakeholders (donors included) to "prove" they are being good stewards of their resources and making a real difference. I agree it is often difficult to directly tie someone's $20 or even $1,000 donation to a specific result. So, another way in that I have seen my clients use is to develop a nice one-pager that BRIEFLY gives an overview of the organization and its mission and programs as well as presenting info on results. Bullets of output (number of people served) and outcome (what difference it made) data. plus a "great story" and a testimonial or two help balance the data with a heart connection. And info on other ways to support the organization should be there as well. I have found most smaller donors are pleased to see such "evidence" that their contribution mattered and combined with a thank you that says "your donation helped make this happen" works well! Great topic! Susan Hyatt Business Nonprofit CONNECTIONS, Inc. http://www.businessgivingstrategies.com/nonprofit-resources/ Jason:
I agree that figuring out how to provide information on measurable results to donors can be challenging. For over 14 years, I have been coaching/training nonprofits all around the country on how to measure the impact of their programs…and how to use that information with stakeholders (donors included) to “prove” they are being good stewards of their resources and making a real difference. I agree it is often difficult to directly tie someone’s $20 or even $1,000 donation to a specific result. So, another way in that I have seen my clients use is to develop a nice one-pager that BRIEFLY gives an overview of the organization and its mission and programs as well as presenting info on results. Bullets of output (number of people served) and outcome (what difference it made) data. plus a “great story” and a testimonial or two help balance the data with a heart connection. And info on other ways to support the organization should be there as well. I have found most smaller donors are pleased to see such “evidence” that their contribution mattered and combined with a thank you that says “your donation helped make this happen” works well!

Great topic!
Susan Hyatt
Business Nonprofit CONNECTIONS, Inc.
http://www.businessgivingstrategies.com/nonprofit-resources/

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