Nonprofits Archives - Nicole Clark Consulting

23 Aug, 2023

Stop Prioritizing “One Size Fits All” Solutions

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2023-08-23T14:10:46-04:00August 23rd, 2023|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Data Driven, Evaluative Thinking, Grantmaking, Nonprofits, program design|0 Comments

A principle in program design is that, if a program is placed in a new location, the program will still perform as expected.

From a program evaluation perspective, we understand that a program’s location presents both challenges and opportunities, as the physical location (whether it’s an actual neighborhood or virtual) is often as unique as the program itself.

So, when you’re evaluating a multi-site program, not only are you assessing the extent that differences in outcomes are due to variations in project implementation, you’re also sensitive to the fact that you’re doing a side-by-side comparison.

Why? Because if you’re a staff member that’s been placed in this new program location, and you’re experiencing the uniques characteristics and quirks of the program’s location in real time, the evaluation can yield results that you’re already aware of. Plus, you’ve most likely informed your staff’s leadership well before the evaluator showed up and this can be frustrating when you need leadership’s help in addressing issues and you’re not being listened to.

A program in multiple locations may have the same outcome goals, but will always be impacted by the conditions it’s operating in.

Every organization has unique needs, capacities, and challenges. Yet funders often make .”one size fits all” requests”. From organizational priorities and resource constraints to lack of internal buy-in and strict accountability, grantees can become resentful of funders when they’re expected to fit into a box as opposed to working together in ways that are flexible and makes sense to both the funder and the grantee.

Funders should let go of one-size-fits-all solutions and play a more crucial role in providing support and guidance to their grantees. They can do this by:

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10 Aug, 2023

The Key to Making Actionable Logic Models

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2023-08-16T21:07:38-04:00August 10th, 2023|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Logic Models, Nonprofits|0 Comments

Let’s get straight to the point.

When logic models are viewed as a valuable planning and learning tool, rather than solely as a grant making reporting requirement, it increases the likelihood that your organization will use them. When logic models are viewed in connection to other tools you have at your disposal, that also increases a logic model’s utility.

The key to making actionable logic models –logic models that you will actually use — is to have a plan for how this logic model will be used.

Within this key are macro and micro considerations. Let’s start with the micro considerations:

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3 Aug, 2023

Ask Nicole: Why Logic Models Set Nonprofits Up for Failure

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2023-08-23T11:46:54-04:00August 3rd, 2023|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, Logic Models, Nonprofits|0 Comments

Have a question you’d like to be featured? Let me know.

During a project meeting, I had a conversation with an executive director on structuring their organizational evaluation framework.

Understanding programs and all their many parts helps me determine an appropriate evaluation strategy, consisting of data collection and analysis, engaging participants in the process of gathering data, etc.

A tool that helps me understand a program’s existence and function is a logic model.

During this meeting, the executive director was adamant about not developing logic models for their organizational programming. I’ve heard this before with other clients, but I was interested in hearing her perspective.

For this executive director, the reservation centered on who typically asks for logic models: Funders and evaluators.

A logic model is a diagram that explains how a program is supposed to work, presenting a birds-eye view of the how the resources and activities, lead to the program’s intended results.

While logic models can be useful, I get why nonprofits don’t like them. I don’t create logic models for my own business, so why should I expect a nonprofit to do it?

I don’t want the absence of a logic model to be the reason a nonprofit isn’t funded, but I’m also happy to see the pushback. Here’s why:

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5 Jul, 2023

Ask Nicole: Our Programs Are Outdated

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2023-07-03T13:27:35-04:00July 5th, 2023|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, Data Driven, Evaluative Thinking, Nonprofits, program design|0 Comments

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in addressing social issues and making a positive impact in our communities. To effectively serve their communities and achieve their mission, nonprofits must constantly adapt and evolve. One crucial aspect of this evolution is updating program design and curricula, which may not be top of mind for nonprofit staff.

Once you create a program, that’s not the end. Like your strategic plan, your programs aren’t static. Programs (and services, but for today’s post, “programs” will be used as a catch-all term) should be updated based on a variety of factors.

When was the last time you reviewed and updated your programs? In this month’s Ask Nicole, let’s explore six important reasons for nonprofits should regularly review and update their programs. Don’t wait for a funder to recommend this to you.

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20 Oct, 2021

Be Grassroots and Data Driven

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-10-20T09:29:41-04:00October 20th, 2021|Categories: Research & Evaluation|Tags: Evaluative Thinking, Grassroots, Nonprofits|0 Comments

*Starting with a simple question can lead to bigger impact.*

What does it mean to be data-driven as a nonprofit or smaller grassroots organization?

You’re navigating being responsive to the communities you serve, providing services and programming that provide a more just and equitable world, while also being responsive to demands on your organizational capacity.

Despite anecdotes and maybe a survey here or there that generally confirms you’re doing a good job, there’s still a demand for more proof, and it usually comes from whoever is holding the purse strings.

Being data-driven is bigger than the numbers you see and the stories you hear.

It’s also bigger than taking the numbers and molding them into stories that not only speak to hearts and minds, but generate research ideas and influences policy change.

So much of being data-driven prioritizes the demands and requests of external stakeholders, particularly funders.

In fact, many evaluation projects I’ve led started with the client organization seeking an external evaluator. They mentioned doing an external evaluation their grant as a deliverable, and now it’s anticipated by their funder.

Even with this as a deliverable, interpersonal barriers to being data-driven persists.

Being data-driven means moving beyond decision-making that primarily benefit funders and external stakeholders. It means making intentional learning investments that champion questioning, reflection, and action that directly benefit your staff AND stakeholders.

So how can nonprofits and small grassroots organizations become more data-driven? Here’s one simple, accessible way to get started:

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Stop Prioritizing “One Size Fits All” Solutions

The Key to Making Actionable Logic Models

Ask Nicole: Why Logic Models Set Nonprofits Up for Failure

Ask Nicole: Our Programs Are Outdated

Be Grassroots and Data Driven

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