We Are For Good Podcast - Episode 601 Summary

Episode Title: 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Redefine Impact Measurement
Host/Author: We Are For Good (Jon McCoy and Becky Endicott)
Guest: Ori Carmel, Founder & CEO of So
Release Date: February 5, 2025

Introduction

In the 601st episode of the We Are For Good Podcast, hosts Jon McCoy, CFRE, and Becky Endicott, CFRE, delve into the critical topic of redefining impact measurement within the nonprofit sector. Joined by Ori Carmel, the founder and CEO of So, an innovative consultancy at the intersection of economic value and utilitarian good, the discussion explores contemporary challenges and forward-thinking strategies essential for nonprofits aiming to amplify their missions effectively.

1. The Need to Redefine Impact Measurement

The conversation opens with a foundational concern: many organizations lack a clear alignment between their vision, mission, and purpose, leading to a disconnect in strategy implementation and outcome measurement.

Ori Carmel [00:05]:
"A lot of organizations don't have a very clear through line between their vision, mission, and purpose. Why do they exist? What change do they want to see in the world through the strategies that they design?"

2. Common Mistakes in Impact Measurement

Ori identifies two primary pitfalls in current impact measurement practices:

• Measuring Activities Over Impact: Organizations often focus on quantifying activities (e.g., funds raised, emails sent) rather than assessing the actual impact these activities generate.

  Ori Carmel [07:23]:
  "There's a real propensity to measure activities versus impact. How much money have we given? How many emails have we sent? These are important metrics but ultimately they're activities, not impact."

• Separating Impact from Intent: A lack of alignment between an organization's core intent and its impact metrics hinders the ability to tell a cohesive story of influence.

  Ori Carmel [07:45]:
  "When an organization doesn't have a through line between the things that people are doing on the ground and the results of those things, that traces all the way back to the organizational vision, mission, and purpose. It's really, really hard to tell a story of we've been able to manifest the reason for which we exist."

3. Integrating Art and Science in Impact Measurement

Achieving meaningful impact measurement requires a harmonious blend of qualitative (art) and quantitative (science) approaches. Ori emphasizes that understanding stakeholders and incorporating both emotional and data-driven insights is crucial for comprehensive impact assessment.

Ori Carmel [12:32]:
"It's not either an art or a science. It's when you're able to bring the two together and allow them to be complementary and accretive to each other, that's where really, really interesting things happen."

4. Methodologies for Choosing Impact Measurement Approaches

When selecting the right impact measurement methodologies, Ori advises nonprofits to simplify their approach by:

1. Understanding the "Why": Clearly define the organization's vision, mission, and purpose.
2. Mapping Stakeholders: Identify and understand the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders through comprehensive discovery processes.
3. Exploring the Environment: Analyze market pressures, political landscapes, and competitive factors.

Ori Carmel [20:06]:
"Start with understanding and define your true north. Why does your organization exist? What's your vision? What's your mission? What's your purpose? What change do you want to see in the world?"

5. Time Considerations in Measuring Long-Term Impact

Balancing short-term indicators with long-term outcomes is essential, especially for initiatives whose results may take years to materialize. Ori suggests establishing both operational metrics for immediate tracking and strategic metrics for evaluating long-term impact.

Ori Carmel [24:25]:
"If you're looking to understand whether your educational program has helped increase graduation rates, that's going to take years. But having short-term indicators will give you a directional view to know if you're on the right path."

6. Case Study: Prostate Cancer Research in the UK

Ori shares a compelling case study involving a UK-based prostate cancer research organization that developed InfoPool, a tool designed to support patients, caregivers, and families. This tool not only provided crucial information but also significantly improved emotional well-being and decision-making capabilities among its users.

Ori Carmel [28:09]:
"We saw increases of like 14x in the way in which people felt less isolated and up to 18x in their ability to make smarter decisions about their treatment choices."

This initiative demonstrates the profound impact of combining audience-centric design with robust data analysis, enabling the organization to secure increased funding and expand its reach.

7. State of Social Impact Report

Ori introduces So's comprehensive State of Social Impact study, which surveys 30,000 individuals across various sectors—including nonprofits, private sector, academia, and government—in the UK, Canada, and the US. This report aims to identify the most pressing trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of social impact work.

Ori Carmel [36:05]:
"We wanted to explore the space between sectors to understand the best ways they operate when they try to work with each other. This study is the first of its kind, providing a holistic view of the biggest trends and challenges in the social impact space."

8. Practical Takeaways

To conclude, Ori offers actionable insights for nonprofits looking to enhance their impact measurement:

• Simplify the Approach: Focus on what truly matters and avoid overcomplicating metrics.
• Integrate Art and Science: Combine emotional intelligence with data-driven strategies.
• Build Strong Partnerships: Prioritize collaborations based on mutual respect and shared goals rather than purely transactional relationships.
• Engage Emotionally: Invest emotionally in your work to drive genuine change and foster meaningful connections.

Ori Carmel [41:15]:
"From an organizational perspective, partnership over vendorship, genuine care about your work, and ensuring you don't work with individuals who don't align with your values are key to success."

Conclusion

Episode 601 of the We Are For Good Podcast provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of impact measurement in the nonprofit sector. Through insightful discussions with Ori Carmel, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the importance of aligning organizational purpose with strategic actions and the necessity of integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to truly measure and enhance social impact.

For those interested in exploring these concepts further, So's State of Social Impact report is available on their website, offering valuable data and analysis to inform and inspire nonprofit leaders and change-makers.

Notable Quotes:

• Ori Carmel [00:05]:
  "A lot of organizations don't have a very clear through line between their vision, mission, and purpose."

• Ori Carmel [07:23]:
  "There's a real propensity to measure activities versus impact."

• Ori Carmel [12:32]:
  "It's when you're able to bring the two together and allow them to be complementary and accretive to each other, that's where really, really interesting things happen."

• Ori Carmel [20:06]:
  "Start with understanding and define your true north."

• Ori Carmel [24:25]:
  "Having short-term indicators will give you a directional view to know if you're on the right path."

• Ori Carmel [28:09]:
  "We saw increases of like 14x in the way in which people felt less isolated."

• Ori Carmel [36:05]:
  "This study is the first of its kind, providing a holistic view of the biggest trends and challenges in the social impact space."

• Ori Carmel [41:15]:
  "Partnership over vendorship, genuine care about your work, and ensuring you don't work with individuals who don't align with your values are key to success."

Further Resources:

• State of Social Impact Report: Available on weareforgood.com
• Connect with So: Reach out via email or through their website for partnerships and consultations.