February 10, 2026
The Impact Issue #99: Transform Your Evaluation Frameworks
Level up how you collect, visualize, and analyze impact data.
Data talks, so it’s important that you do your best to listen to what it’s telling you.
In this week’s edition, we’ll share insights on how to make your data work for you, bringing your nonprofit’s evaluation methods to new heights.
We’ll share tips for setting a baseline to measure progress against, tech resources to help visualize your data, and expert perspectives on how to enhance your current framework. We’ve also got upcoming grants, educational and networking opportunities, and so much more.
Welcome to The Impact.
Pitfalls and Pointers
⚠️ Pitfall: Having No Baseline to Measure Progress Against
When you see an issue that you want to solve, it can be tempting to just jump in and start work.
However, if you don’t capture a baseline, you can’t measure your progress or accurately communicate your impact.
💡 Pointer: Establish a Meaningful Baseline Through Consistent Testing
One of the best ways to measure progress is through pre- and post-testing. Here are some tips to help set up a successful evaluation framework:
- Determine your desired outcome, then work backwards. Having clear learning goals and questions will help you stay on track with what you’re hoping to measure.
- Audit your data. Look at what data you are already collecting and identify what your gaps are. Make sure you’re clear on the type of pre- and post- information you need to collect to capture consistent data.
- Collaborate with your teams. Work with your program teams to stay aligned on what data matters most. Schedule regular check-ins to make sure there aren’t any changes you need to account for.
- Test and learn. If you’re not seeing progress, don’t be afraid to dive into why and make changes. Then, compare your results year over year to see which assessments are most valuable.
👉 Check out even more best practices for nonprofit program evaluations!
Tech You Should Know
What:
Looker Studio is a free tool that helps visualize your data using customizable dashboards, easy-to-understand reports, and so much more. As part of Google Cloud services, it seamlessly integrates with Google products to provide a comprehensive view of your data.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Visualize your impact. Create charts that can be integrated into your grant applications, funder reports, board reports, etc.
- Track performance. Use dashboards to track your real-time performance. This could include finances, email performance, grant spenddown, and more.
- Collaborate with your team. Share dashboards and reports across your team to make data-driven decisions quickly.
Keep in Mind:
Many features are available for free; however, to access all tools, you may need to upgrade or integrate paid third-party applications.
📈 Transform your insights with Looker Studio!
Expert Perspectives
🏆 Jennifer McKenzie on Leveling Up Your Evaluation Framework
Jennifer McKenzie, founder and CEO of Organized Synergy, has more than a decade of experience helping nonprofits win more grants. She believes a strong grant evaluation framework can be a big indicator of grant readiness.
Here’s her expert advice:
- Count everything. Don’t just quantify your activities. Instead, have plans to measure outputs and true outcomes. Here’s an explanation of grant outcomes and how to measure them.
- Walk the talk. Regularly evaluate if you’re delivering what you promised, if it led to meaningful impact, and the overall satisfaction rate. If you’re falling short in any of these areas, get to the root cause and close the gap.
- Don’t reinvent the wheel. Many times, funders have preferred tools or reporting formats when it comes to grant evaluation. Ask them or former grantees how they prefer to receive information. Using trusted methods will help you build credibility and foster trust with your funders.
Your evaluation framework is a core aspect of your overall program design, so it’s critical that you get it right.
📊 Nail evaluation methods and grant readiness with the rest of Jennifer’s advice!
🎁 A Gift for You 🎁
We know that grant evaluation can be overwhelming, which is why we put together a free template to guide you through it!
Our Grant Evaluation Template for Nonprofits will help you:
- Define and narrow your objectives.
- Clarify your methodology to track performance in meaningful ways.
- Assign key responsibilities and align your team on strategy.
Opportunities Spotlight
⭐ Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation Youth Initiative Grant
Who It’s For: Nonprofits that provide direct support programs for those who face adverse childhood experiences
Next Deadline: April 1 (Letter of Inquiry)
Grant Amount: Up to $30,000
The Details:
The Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation Youth Initiative Grant funds programs that promote resilience, stability, and psycho-social health for youth ages 14-21 who have been traumatized by Adverse Childhood Experiences. Their grants provide new programs with multi-year funding for up to three years. Note that only the first 150 letters of inquiry submissions will be accepted.
🥑 Newman’s Own Foundation: Food Justice for Kids Prize
Who It’s For: Nonprofits focused on youth food security
Next Deadline: June 11, 2026 (Expected)
Grant Amount: Up to $100,000
The Details:
Newman’s Own Foundation offers two-year grants for organizations working toward food justice for children in the United States. Their priority programs focus on indigenous food support and nutrition education, and school food. Most projects should benefit children under the age of 18; however, projects for other ages will also be considered as long as the percentage of children under 18 is specified.
🔍 Explore even more grant opportunities!
Networking Nook
💻 Webinar: How to Build a Grant Calendar That Survives Funding Turbulence
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 1 PM EST
Feeling unsure about what to prioritize as funding landscapes shift? Join Instrumentl this week to learn how to build a grant calendar that can adapt when funding priorities change.
Don’t miss out!
💻 Webinar: How High-Performing Teams Build Grant Systems That Scale
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 1 PM EST
High-performing grant teams win by building systems that scale. Join Instrumentl to learn how to build systems that manage the full grant lifecycle while keeping your team organized and focused on what matters most.
Save your seat!
📅 Conference: 2026 Arnova Annual Conference
November 19-21, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
Save the date for the 55th annual Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (Arnova) conference! This three-day conference brings together scholars, educators, and practitioners to help provide research insights, tips, and networking opportunities.
Don’t miss out!
To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📑 Article: Examples of Grant Outcomes and How to Measure Them
Grant outcomes don’t have to be intimidating. This post breaks down what they are, how they’re used to define success, and how to report them effectively to funders. By the end, you’ll be ready to report your grant outcomes and determine ideal grant success measurements.
📼 Video: From Complexity to Clarity: Mastering Fundable Project Frameworks
Join grant expert George Q. Jackson for a master class on how to create a dashboard that works for you. His proven method will help you transform your broad services into measurable, fundable initiatives. After this session, you’ll be able to define project goals more clearly and communicate in a way that resonates with grantmakers.
🎙️ Podcast: Ask the Obvious: 5 Questions for Better Grants
Grant professional Teresa Huff explores how asking questions can help improve your grant writing. In this episode, she’ll challenge you to be introspective about your grant writing to uncover important insights.
Evaluate Like a Pro
When it comes to evaluating grant-funded programs, Instrumentl’s end-to-end grant management system can help you stay on track:
- Use the document library as your centralized repository of information.
- Assign tasks to your teams to promote a clear workflow.
- Track key deadlines using the calendar so you understand what’s on the horizon.
Instrumentl is your one-stop shop for all your grant management needs.
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