Evidence and shared impact measurement
Many social issues are complex, pervasive and interlinked. This means charities and funders have a lot to learn from one another, from other sectors, and from academic research and evidence. We think the charity sector could be more evidence-focused—drawing on, and adding to, a broader evidence base about what works. Doing so involves anything from using existing evidence to inform programme design, or pooling insights together through shared impact measurement to get the bigger picture about what works and what doesn’t.
We want to help upskill charities and funders to improve their impact. So we’re partnering on several programmes to improve the use of evidence in the charity sector. Find out more.
Key tools, resources and commentary on building an evidence-led sector
How the voluntary sector can make better use of evidence
Charities and funders need to be brilliant at understanding what works best, where, why and for whom. But right now, as a sector, we are not making the most of what we know. Anne Kazimirski looks at what is needed for this to change.
Towards an evidence-led social sector
NPC believes that the effective use of evidence increases charities’ positive impact. But this potential is unrealised because good practices and systems are lacking. Here we set out what it looks like to use evidence effectively and suggest ways to achieve it.
Balancing act: A guide to proportionate evaluation
What constitutes a proportionate and meaningful way to evaluate a programme? It’s a difficult but crucial question. This paper will help you think through the options and make a decision that reflects your organisation’s needs, available resources and the operating context.
Why charities should collect less impact data
Drawing from our recent paper, Under the microscope, James Noble revisits the two main reasons we should be collecting impact data, and explains why they mean we should think before we measure.
Global innovations in measurement and evaluation
We researched the latest developments in theory and practice in measurement and evaluation. And we found that new thinking, techniques, and technology are influencing and improving practice. This report highlights 8 developments that we think have the greatest potential to improve evaluation and programme design, and the careful collection and use of data.
Strength in numbers: The power of shared measurement
Andrew Weston reflects upon the launch event of Inspiring Impact's new shared measurement report. There, some of the charities featured in the report explained how sharing information about their outcomes with similar organisations has helped them to improve their collective impact.
How can we up-skill charities to gain insights from data?
There's a clear appetite from charities to be better able to get insights from their data. So what can be done to build capacity and capability?
Shared measurement: Greater than the sum of its parts
Exploring how shared measurement approaches are shaping services and improving impact, featuring Age UK Wakefield District, ASCOT, Citizens Advice, Home-Start UK, PCOC, SafeLives Insights and Outcomes Stars.
Blueprint for shared measurement
Shared measurement involves charities working towards similar goals reaching a common understanding of what to measure, and developing the tools to do so. In this report, which is part of NPC's work on Inspiring Impact, we discuss the benefits and challenges associated with shared measurement, and through analysis of twenty approaches, examine how it is developed and draw lessons for future initiatives.
Get support with Inspiring Impact
Inspiring Impact supports people who work and volunteer for charities, funders, and social enterprises across the UK. They provide free online resources, peer learning networks, and grant funding, so you can plan, understand, and improve your impact.
Find out more
Talk to us
Got a question, or want to work with us on building an evidence-led social sector? We’d love to hear from you.
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