Nonprofits Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Nicole Clark Consulting

11 Feb, 2026

When “Evidence-Based” Becomes a Gatekeeper

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2026-02-18T11:46:34-05:00February 11th, 2026|Categories: Program, Service, & Campaign Design|Tags: evaluation, Evidence-Based, Nonprofits, program design, Research|0 Comments

In the nonprofit sector, “evidence-based” is treated as a marker of credibility, signaling rigor, effectiveness, and responsibility (especially in conversations about funding, accountability, and impact).

In theory, this makes sense. Evidence should help ensure that programs and services do what they claim to do. In practice, I’ve seen institutions define and enforce evidence-based standards in ways that quietly shape access to resources, trust, and organizational legitimacy.

Over time, I’ve come to see how evidence-based can function as a gatekeeper that shapes participation in ways that aren’t always intentional, transparent, or equitable.

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4 Feb, 2026

Ask Nicole: Evidence-Based….for WHO?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2026-02-02T13:17:32-05:00February 4th, 2026|Categories: Program, Service, & Campaign Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, evaluation, Evidence-Based, Nonprofits, program design, Research|0 Comments

So, what exactly is “evidence-based”?

I’ve been thinking a lot about this, how often people invoke it, how rarely they interrogate it, and how much weight it carries in nonprofit work.

At first glance, the idea seems straightforward: Programs and services should rely on evidence. In practice, I’ve seen people define, apply, and enforce standards in ways that shape what gets funded and whose evidence counts.

Over time, my own thinking has shifted. I understand the importance of evidence in framing effective programs and services and improving outcomes. At the same time, I’ve grown more attentive to how evidence, when use prescriptively, can flatten complexity, limit innovation, and miss the realities of the communities nonprofits are trying to serve.

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3 Oct, 2025

Ask Nicole: Program Updates Take Time—and That’s Okay

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2025-10-03T13:09:08-04:00October 3rd, 2025|Categories: Program, Service, & Campaign Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, Data Driven, Evaluative Thinking, Nonprofits, program design|0 Comments

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

I’ve talked about the moment when you realize your program’s design is outdated. Maybe the content hasn’t evolved in years. Maybe it no longer reflects your participants’ realities. Or maybe the logic model hasn’t been updated despite changing the program’s activities.

Since then, I’ve heard from many of you:

We know our program isn’t where it should be… but we’re already stretched so thin.
We want to make updates, but we don’t even know where to begin.
We feel stuck—even though we’re clear something needs to change.

If this resonates with you and your staff, you’re not alone.

Program updates take time—and that’s okay.

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23 Aug, 2023

Stop Prioritizing “One Size Fits All” Solutions

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2023-08-23T14:10:46-04:00August 23rd, 2023|Categories: Program, Service, & Campaign 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: Program, Service, & Campaign 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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