How Do You Define Success?
And yes, you can measure messy, unstable and long-term stuff. Don’t start with outside voices and benchmarks. Start by asking the people who come to work every day to make your mission happen, "How do you define success?" Ask the people you serve, “What has made the biggest difference for them?” Ask questions about why you do your work the way you do. You may learn that some things need to change, but in the process you’ll have galvanized the people who care the most and want to see your work succeed.
Who Defines Impact?
We've all heard the message that donors get involved to make a difference, and that we need to be able to tell them what impact our organizations are making. But recently, I’ve had several conversations with clients that confirmed a fear of mine when people in the nonprofit sector hear the word impact, they think judgment.