Killing Dinosaurs with Data: Why I Founded SureImpact

By Sheri Chaney Jones, CEO & Founder of SureImpact

Jim Fruchterman’s recent article in Stanford Social Innovation Review, “Kill the Dinosaurs,” is a wake-up call to the nonprofit sector. His message is clear: if we want to solve today’s most pressing social problems, we must stop clinging to outdated models and start embracing innovation, especially through technology and data.

I couldn’t agree more.

In fact, this is exactly why I founded SureImpact.

For too long, nonprofits have been expected to do more with less. They are asked to prove their impact yet rarely given the tools to do so. Many organizations are still using spreadsheets, paper forms, and siloed systems to track outcomes (if they track outcomes at all). These legacy approaches are not just inefficient; they’re barriers to progress.

SureImpact was born out of my frustration with this status quo. As a researcher and social impact consultant, I saw firsthand how difficult it was for mission-driven organizations to measure and communicate their value. I knew there had to be a better way.

A Journey Rooted in Data and Impact

Early in my career, I was hired as the Deputy Director of Performance Evaluation for the Franklin County Domestic and Juvenile Courts. At the time, the federal government was shifting toward outcomes-based funding, and my court director was forward-thinking enough to invest in impact measurement. We began collecting and analyzing dataand discovered that some of our programs were unintentionally making things worse for young people. They were more likely to re-enter the juvenile justice system than thrive.

But that data became our catalyst for change.

Within 18 months, we saw reduced recidivism and fewer bed days. We also made significant strides in reducing disproportionate minority contact, well before national movements brought these issues to the forefront. Because we had the data, we could transform programs and attract major grants from the Ohio Department of Juvenile Justice and federal agencies.

Later, at the Ohio Department of Aging, we used data to prove that by not cutting our programs, we would saved the state $250 million in Medicaid costs. When budget cuts loomed during the Great Recession, we showed legislators that cutting our programs would actually increase spending. As a result, we retained full funding while other agencies faced severe cuts.

These experiences taught me that data isn’t just numbers; it’s power. It’s the power to protect funding, improve lives, and drive systemic change.

SureImpact: Built to Empower the Front Lines of Social Change

SureImpact is the software platform I wish existed years ago. It gives nonprofit leaders real-time access to the data they need to answer three critical questions:

1. What did you do?

2. How well did you do it?

3. Are people and communities better off?

These questions aren’t just theoretical, they’re the foundation of a new era in nonprofit accountability and innovation. We’re helping organizations move beyond anecdotal evidence and into a future where data drives decisions, storytelling, and funding.

I recognized this need firsthand. After years of consulting with nonprofits through my firm, Measurement Resources, I kept hearing the same thing: “Sheri, we love the insights your team provides, but we need this data at our fingertips.” When I searched for a tech solution to recommend, I realized it didn’t exist.

So, I built it.

In March 2020, I launched SureImpact with a bold vision: to democratize access to impact data and empower nonprofits to innovate, scale, and prove their value. Over the past five years, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations transform how they measure and communicate their impact; saving time, securing funding, and improving lives.

From Painful Processes to Powerful Insights

Many nonprofits are stuck in a painful cycle: scrambling for data during grant season, relying on manual processes, and missing out on funding because they can’t prove their outcomes. Funders today are raising the bar. They want to invest in organizations that can demonstrate accountability and results, not just promises.

SureImpact was designed to break that cycle.

We give nonprofits real-time dashboards that show exactly who they’re serving, what services they’re providing, and how those services are improving lives. This isn’t just about reporting, it’s about learning, improving, and leading.

Killing Dinosaurs with Purpose

Jim Fruchterman’s call to “kill the dinosaurs” isn’t about eliminating organizations, it’s about transforming them. It’s about recognizing when legacy programs no longer serve their purpose and having the courage to pivot.

I’ve seen firsthand how data can illuminate what’s working and what’s not. It’s not about blame; it’s about driving better outcomes. It’s about making sure that every dollar, every hour, and every effort is truly making a difference.

SureImpact exists to help nonprofits evolve, thrive, and prove their value. We’re here to equip the front lines of social change with the tools they need to succeed.

Let’s not wait for someone else to kill the dinosaur.

Let’s lead the transformation ourselves.

Join Us in Shaping the Next Five Years of Impact

SureImpact’s journey has always been about more than software, it’s about empowering purpose-driven organizations to create measurable, meaningful change. What started in March 2020 as a response to a clear and urgent need has grown into a movement that’s helping nonprofits across the country innovate, scale, and prove their value.

We’ve spent the last five years building tools that make impact measurement accessible, actionable, and transformative. From helping organizations win unsolicited grants to enabling real-time program pivots that improve lives, SureImpact is redefining what it means to be data-driven in the social-good sector.

But we’re just getting started.

As we celebrate five years of progress, we invite you to be part of what comes next:

• Explore our 5-Year Impact Report to see how data-driven insights are transforming communities.

• Partner with us to strengthen your impact measurement strategy and unlock new funding opportunities.

Let’s drive long-term social change together.