Hello, I’m Quisha Brown, author of “Racial Equity Lens Logic Model & Theory of Change” – a transformative guidebook offering step-by-step instructions on building a people-centered Progressive Outcomes Scale Logic Model (POSLM). In a world where social mission organizations struggle to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness, the need to enhance the Evidence-Based Policymaking Act in the years to come becomes paramount, demanding a focused emphasis on empowering these organizations with the resources essential to substantiate their profound impact.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges faced by many of these organizations, operating tirelessly to bring about social change as nonprofits. Financial constraints often stand as barriers, impeding their ability to enlist external evaluators for comprehensive assessments, consequently hindering the production of compelling evidence. The solution lies in adopting a strategic approach that extends support to these organizations, enabling them to showcase undeniable proof of their work.
At the core of the evidence act lies the mission to channel funding towards organizations capable of unequivocally demonstrating the most compelling evidence of their social impact. The pivotal question arises: How can the government better support nonprofits in showcasing the outcomes and impact of their social initiatives? Title 1 of the Evidence Act, which discusses evaluation, should broaden its scope to include evaluation design technical assistance to these organizations which utilizes frameworks which are more custom suited to measure social impact.
Methods such as the POSLM zero in on measuring indicators identified by the targeted people served as necessary performance indicators for tangible change and by doing so, significantly simplify the social impact evaluation process. Cynthia Phillips, PhD, Author of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide (2000), recognizes the significance of the POSLM approach, sharing the following statement about the guidebook, “This innovative, step-by-step guidebook takes the purpose and practice of logic modeling to the next level. The racial equity lens builds authentic community voice into the evaluation design process right from the start. Logic models and theories of change developed using this approach build not only a firm foundation for a culturally responsive evaluation but also provide the framework for organizations and stakeholders to tell their story.”
The POSLM serves as a catalyst for a paradigm shift in the way we evaluate social impact. By placing the power of evaluation in the hands of those directly impacted, it fosters authenticity and ensures that the true essence of social change is captured. This method doesn’t just measure outcomes; it tells a story of resilience, determination, and progress.
In a world yearning for tangible change, the call to action is clear – the Evidence Act should be more open to embracing methodologies that empower social mission organizations to showcase their impact. The POSLM stands as a testament to the potential within our grasp, ushering in an era where outcomes are not just measured but celebrated. Let us champion transformative approaches such as the POSLM, ensuring that the voices of those seeking change are not just heard but resonate as a powerful force for a better tomorrow.
Rad Resources
- Interested in learning more about the Progressive Outcomes Scale Logic Model, and it’s current uses? Check out these Linkedin articles.
- How to measure social impact and calculate SROI using the POSLM (9-minute video)
- The Struggle of Outcome Measurement for Nonprofits Article by Stanford Social Innovation Review
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