In the complex world of social change, few things are as important as measuring and evaluating impact. The Skoll Foundation’s recent article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), New Evaluation Approaches That Fuel Collective Action, introduces a fresh approach to monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MEL) that perfectly aligns with SureImpact’s collaborative model for impact measurement.
The article highlights three essential shifts in evaluation practices: practicing a learning approach that goes beyond individual grants, centering how social innovators track and assess their progress, and focusing on contribution rather than attribution when understanding systemic change. While many of the examples cited—such as climate change and tropical deforestation—may not resonate directly with SureImpact’s community, the methods outlined are universally applicable and provide a powerful framework for nonprofits, funders, and social good collaboratives.
Let’s explore these three principles and how SureImpact helps nonprofits and funders embrace them to drive collective action and achieve greater impact.
1. Practice a Learning Approach That Goes Beyond Individual Grants
Traditionally, evaluation has focused on understanding the impact of individual organizations or grants. However, the Skoll Foundation emphasizes the importance of examining how networks of social innovators—what they call “constellations”—work together to drive systemic change. This shift moves beyond isolated outcomes to explore the collective progress of groups working on shared goals.
At SureImpact, we see this same principle come to life in our collaborative model. By enabling funder networks and social good collaboratives to use shared measurement tools, SureImpact makes it easier to understand how each organization contributes to the collective mission. Whether it’s a network of nonprofits addressing homelessness or a coalition improving access to early childhood education, our platform empowers all stakeholders to align on goals, track outcomes, and learn together in real time.
For example, the Siemer Institute, a long-time SureImpact client, uses shared measurement to help its network of service providers track outcomes related to family stability and homelessness prevention. By collecting and analyzing data across multiple organizations, the Siemer Institute has created a feedback loop that fosters shared learning and improvement across the network. As highlighted in this blog post, this approach not only drives systemic change but also builds trust among partners—a key ingredient for long-term success.
2. Center How Social Innovators Track and Assess Their Progress
The Skoll Foundation calls for funders to embrace diverse methods of tracking progress, including qualitative and quantitative measures, storytelling, and participatory approaches. Social innovators must also define their long-term goals, intermediate outcomes, and signals of progress, ensuring that their evaluations reflect both their unique contexts and their systemic ambitions.
SureImpact provides social innovators—what we call impact-centric leaders—with the tools they need to measure and communicate their progress effectively. One inspiring example is Angela Meleca and her Collaborative Arts Impact Initiative. This groundbreaking effort brings together arts organizations to amplify the transformative power of the arts in communities. By leveraging SureImpact’s platform, the initiative collects and analyzes data on shared outcomes, such as increased access to arts programming and enhanced community well-being.
Angela’s work demonstrates how tracking impact goes beyond numbers. Through SureImpact, she and her partners can tell a compelling story of their collective impact, using both qualitative insights and quantitative data to engage funders, stakeholders, and the public. As Angela noted in a recent blog post, the platform has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and driving results across the arts sector.
3. Lean Into Contribution Versus Attribution When Understanding Systems Shift
One of the most profound lessons from the Skoll Foundation’s MEL model is the shift from attribution (crediting a single actor for an outcome) to contribution (understanding how multiple actors work together to drive change). This mindset acknowledges the messy, nonlinear nature of systems change and the importance of collective action.
At SureImpact, we recognize that no single organization can solve complex social challenges alone. That’s why our platform is designed to show how each organization contributes to the broader network’s goals. By streamlining data collection and reporting, SureImpact enables every stakeholder—from direct service providers to funders—to see their role in the larger ecosystem.
For example, consider a funder network focused on improving outcomes for foster youth. Through SureImpact, each organization in the network can track its unique contributions, such as providing mentorship programs, advocating for policy changes, or offering housing support. By aggregating this data, the network gains a holistic view of its impact, identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. This approach not only strengthens the network’s collective efforts but also helps individual organizations refine their strategies and improve their outcomes.
Why These Shifts Matter
The Skoll Foundation’s approach to MEL challenges funders and nonprofits to rethink how they measure impact, emphasizing equity, trust, and adaptive learning. At SureImpact, we see these principles as essential for driving social progress. By embracing shared measurement, centering the experiences of social innovators, and focusing on contribution, we can move beyond traditional evaluation methods to create lasting systems change.
For nonprofits and funders, this shift requires more than just new tools; it demands a cultural transformation. Organizations must be willing to collaborate, learn from one another, and adapt their strategies based on real-time insights. They must also invest in building trust and transparency within their networks, recognizing that collective action is the only way to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.
How SureImpact Supports This Vision
SureImpact was built to help nonprofits and funders navigate this transformation. Our platform provides:
Shared Measurement Tools: Align on goals, track outcomes, and report impact across networks.
Real-Time Insights: Use data to inform decisions, adapt strategies, and drive continuous improvement.
Customizable Dashboards: Tailor metrics and reporting to reflect each organization’s unique needs and priorities.
Storytelling Capabilities: Combine quantitative data with qualitative insights to tell compelling impact stories.
By integrating these features into a single platform, SureImpact empowers social good collaboratives to embrace the principles outlined in the Skoll Foundation’s MEL model. Together, we can build a more equitable, impactful, and collaborative future.
Conclusion
The journey to transformation requires bold action, innovative thinking, and a commitment to collective impact. As the Skoll Foundation’s article reminds us, the work of social change is never linear or easy, but it is deeply rewarding. By adopting new approaches to learning and evaluation, funders and nonprofits can unlock the full potential of their networks, driving meaningful progress for the communities they serve.
At SureImpact, we are proud to partner with organizations that share this vision. Whether you’re a funder looking to align your portfolio or a nonprofit seeking to amplify your impact, we’re here to help you navigate the path to collective action. Let’s build the future of social good together.
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