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Background

Boys To Men Tucson (BTMT) is a non-profit organization that provides culturally responsive programming and services to boys and young men of color in Tucson, Arizona. BTMT's mission is to empower boys and young men to achieve their full potential and help them develop into healthy, responsible, and successful adults.

Challenge

BTMT has a new initiative with multiyear funding to address the crises of toxic masculinity, gender-based violence, and intergenerational cycles of trauma amongst boys and men. BTMT had well-designed and respected initiatives, but it was uncertain if these were truly solving the main problems of its stakeholders. This was because BTMT tracked only basic data about its activities and didn't collect detailed data directly from stakeholders to understand the actual impact of its efforts.

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From Tiny Budgets to Big Impact: A Nonprofit's Journey with SoPact

In this video, a nonprofit leader shares their success story in securing funding for impact management. They discuss the challenges they faced with a limited budget and how they used research and advocacy to convince their major funder to invest in SoPact's impact management services. They also share their tips on how to make a compelling case for funding and how investing in impact management can maximize accountability and success in nonprofit organizations. This video is a must-watch for anyone in nonprofit leadership looking to revolutionize their budget process and enhance their impact.

Solution

1. Comprehensive Impact Measurement Plan: BTMT, collaborating with Sopact, created a detailed plan for measuring impact that aligns with their goals. This includes identifying important metrics and data points.
2. Effective Data Capture: Using Sopact Survey, they efficiently collected data from key stakeholders like students, mentors, staff, and caregivers.
3. Data-Driven Narrative and Reporting: The collected data is showcased on their dashboard for learning and used in their annual impact report, highlighting BTMT's mission to nurture healthier, resilient young men and encourage positive masculinity in youth.

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Results

1. Survey Development: Created pre and post-interaction surveys to gather both qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholders. Ensured survey questions are easy to understand, straightforward, unbiased, and have balanced response options or allow to answer open-ended questions.
2. Utilize Baseline and Focus Groups: Used initial data and focus group insights for ongoing data collection and long-term analysis making sure data is clean.
3. Data-Informed Programs: Learn from stakeholder data about health, mental wellbeing, and coping strategies to guide program initiatives, track real-time progress towards impact goals.
4. External Reporting: Published annual impact report developed by Sopact based on data collected and tracked for the relevant reporting periods.

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How Sopact is driving sector-wide pedagogical change

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: By leveraging impact data, Sopact empowers organizations to make informed decisions. This means that resources can be allocated more efficiently, interventions can be optimized for greater effect, and strategies can be adjusted in real-time based on data insights. This leads to an overall increase in the effectiveness and impact of social programs.
2. Improved Transparency and Accountability: The use of data-driven approaches increases transparency and accountability for stakeholders involved in or affected by social impact programs. By systematically collecting and analyzing impact data, Sopact ensures that program outcomes are clearly reported and accessible, thereby building trust with donors, beneficiaries, and partners.
3. Capacity Building for Impact Measurement and Management (IMM): Sopact's focus on social impact learning from impact data serves as a pedagogical tool for organizations. It not only provides them with the data they need but also builds their capacity in impact measurement and management. This educational aspect helps organizations to internalize these practices, leading to a culture shift towards continuous improvement and learning.
4. Customized Insights for Strategic Growth: The insights generated from impact data are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of each program. This customization allows organizations to identify unique opportunities for scaling their impact, uncover potential areas for collaboration, and refine their program models based on evidence. Such strategic growth is grounded in a deep understanding of what works and what doesn't, enabling more sustainable and impactful interventions.
5. Driving Sector-wide Pedagogical Change: Beyond individual programs, Sopact's work contributes to a broader pedagogical shift in the social impact sector. By showcasing the power of data-driven decision-making and learning, it encourages other organizations to adopt similar approaches. This sector-wide change amplifies the overall social impact, as more organizations become equipped to measure, understand, and enhance their contributions to societal challenges effectively.

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