Evidence and shared impact measurement
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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.
Featured resources and commentary on shared measurement
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.
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.
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.
Latest updates
Understanding Impact
How to turn your theory of change into a plan for measurement, the five types of data you will need to pay attention to, and how to prioritise what to measure.
One week ’till NPC Ignites 2019!
It's just one week till NPC Ignites 2019! Our CEO Dan Corry runs through the exciting programme.
Why it’s never too late for a Change Framework, even at 100
Gingerbread’s Head of Evaluation and Learning, Hannah Wood discusses how the charity for single parents is using evidence to inform organisational strategies and learning through their ambitious new Change Framework.
Troubled Families is not the Holy Grail
The evaluation of the Troubled Families program is one the biggest ever attempted of a government social program. NPC CEO Dan Corry explains why it is a cause for optimism but also a shining example of all the difficulties of evaluation at this scale.
Strength in numbers: Co-development of the Youth Investment Fund’s shared evaluation framework
NPC and CYI are launching the evaluation framework of the Youth Investment Fund (YIF) learning project. It provides the structure for the largest shared evaluation of open access youth provision in the UK to date and was co designed with over 90 YIF grantees.
Knowledge and Learning for social organisations aiming to grow or ‘scale-up’
'Knowledge and Learning' can help social projects who want to grow or scale up. In this guide we suggest that there are three broad areas or questions that 'Knowledge and Learning' could cover for projects that are growing, and we cover each of these in-turn. The overall aim is to maximise the quality, effectiveness and impact of projects.
Are you sitting uncomfortably?
This week at our annual conference there were some serious challenges made to the sector about how we deliver change. From issues around power and privilege, to civil society's unique assets going to waste, our Head of Think Tank and External Affairs Lucy de Las Casas explores.
Getting started with impact: A trustee’s view
In light of trustees week, George Hoare reflects on his own experiences as a charity trustee, explaining how the board has established ways to measure the charity's impact.
Everything in moderation—including impact measurement
As the 'impact agenda' continues to gather momentum, many charities may be feeling overwhelmed by a need to collect data on everything they do. Even for the organisations with greater resources and know-how, it can be hard to strike a balance between doing the work and measuring its impact. In this blog Peter Harrison-Evans explores a key aspect of impact measurement: balance.
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.
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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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