Impact Frameworks: measuring impact for not-for-profits
Understanding impact measurement and frameworks for not-for-profits.
Imagine you’re tending a garden. Every action you take — planting seeds, watering and weeding — are your outputs, the immediate, visible tasks you complete.
After some time, your garden rewards you with healthy vegetables and blooming flowers, the outcomes of your work.
But the real transformatiom happens over time when your garden begins to attract bees, improve the soil, and contribute to the surrounding ecosystem. This lasting, sustained change is the impact.
In many ways, not-for-profits work similarly. Understanding and measuring impact is crucial because it tells the story of how your organisation is making long-term, meaningful changes, not just in what you do, but in the communities or causes you serve.
What Is Impact Measurement?
Impact measurement helps organisations track and understand the lasting effect of their work. It goes beyond recording direct activities or outputs like workshops held or trainings delivered. It asks, “so what?”—what difference did these actions make in the medium and long term?
For example:
Outputs might be hosting a training session for community members.
Outcomes could be the immediate result of that training, such as improved skills or knowledge.
Impact is the long-term change, like enhanced employment opportunities or stronger community resilience.
When you measure impact, you're tracking the broader, lasting influence your organisation has. This insight is essential for understanding the value of your efforts and communicating this value to stakeholders, funders, and the broader community.
What is an impact framework?
An impact framework is a structured approach that helps not-for-profits connect day-to-day activities to the long-term change they aim to create. It’s not just about counting actions—it’s about mapping how those actions lead to meaningful outcomes and impact over time.
Different organisations may define impact frameworks in slightly different ways, but the goal remains the same—providing clear, tangible evidence that demonstrates the value and results of your work.
For example, the Impact Institute emphasises that a good impact framework combines both quantitative (data, numbers) and qualitative (stories, experiences) evidence to create a full picture of the positive change your organisation achieves.
This structured approach benefits not-for-profits by guiding strategy, measuring success, and ensuring that their purpose is backed by evidence of long-term results. Whether your organisation focuses on mental health or homelessness, an impact framework will give you the tools to show others how your work makes a difference.
Common challenges when measuring impact
While impact measurement can be a powerful tool for not-for-profits, it’s not always the right approach for every organisation or situation.
In fact, there are times when measuring impact might not be the most appropriate/effective course of action. According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, there are several reasons why impact measurement might not work as expected, including:
Mismatched approach: the evaluation method may not align with the specific questions or goals you have.
Premature evaluation: if a program is too new, it might be more important to focus on refining its design rather than measuring long-term outcomes.
Resource constraints: impact measurement can be complex and costly, making it hard for some organisations to implement.
Delayed feedback: it can take a long time to see results, which may not be helpful for real-time decision-making.
For organisations facing these challenges, simpler alternatives like monitoring techniques or real-time feedback methods can be a better fit, offering useful insights without the cost or complexity of full-scale impact measurement.
Case Studies: real impact frameworks
Impact frameworks are already making a difference in the not-for-profit world by helping organisations track their effectiveness and align their actions with long-term goals.
For example, Roses in the Ocean, a suicide prevention organisation, developed an impact framework to ensure their activities contribute to saving lives and reducing emotional distress. Their framework not only tracks immediate outcomes but also measures the long-term change in communities. Additionally, it empowers people with lived experiences to drive systemic change, demonstrating the broader significance of their work.
Similarly, Act for Kids, an organisation supporting vulnerable children, uses their impact framework to ensure that their services create long-lasting positive changes in children's lives. This includes tracking important outcomes like emotional well-being and safety while using data to inform continuous improvements in service delivery.
Why measuring impact matters
In today’s not-for-profit sector, stakeholders and funders are increasingly focused on the outcomes and impact of organisations, not just their activities.
Measuring impact helps you go beyond reporting outputs like workshops or events. It allows you to show the real, lasting change your organisation is creating.
But, it’s essential to recognise that impact measurement isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For some organisations, it might be more practical to start with simple monitoring tools or alternative approaches before diving into a full-scale impact evaluation.
By developing a thoughtful, structured impact framework, your organisation can prove its effectiveness and make smarter decisions about how to improve and grow.
Just like in a garden, the seeds of change take time to flourish — but with care and attention, they will make a lasting difference for seasons to come.
Interested in learning more about how we can help your organisation create an impact framework? Call or email us for an obligation-free chat!
