Tools

Happy New Year! Stay tuned for a new website in 2025

Bryn Sadownik — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:34:37 +0000

You may notice that the Demonstrating Value website has a vintage look on the internet! Since we first launched the site in 2009 half a million people have found their way to our site. We have worked with many amazing community-based organizations over the years, and have shared the framework at 109 events with nearly 3,000 attendees.

Measurement in the time of COVID-19

Bryn Sadownik — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 23:02:30 +0000

In the space of weeks, countless community-based organizations have had to shift what they are doing while being faced with reduced staff hours, fewer volunteers, disruptions to revenue, social distancing restrictions and other constraints. Yet the demand and need for many services that non-profits and social enterprises deliver are high. New needs are emerging, and many programs are being introduced. Across the community – in h

Planning your Intended Change

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 27 May 2020 20:35:58 +0000

By planning your intended change, you’re breaking down the big, awesome visionary change that is very challenging to measure, into more immediate and visible steps. In this way, impact measurement is more possible and useful. It’s also about breaking out what you can influence and then making the link between that and the bolder, systems-level change that you seek.

The Common Foundations that Impact Measurement Tools Share

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 13 May 2020 02:28:00 +0000

What do hundreds of tools, frameworks, guides, templates and other resources on impact measurement have in common?

A limited number of fundamental practices!

Rate your data collection

Bryn Sadownik — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:53:45 +0000

Making the Case for Software Investment

Bryn Sadownik — Thu, 04 May 2017 23:19:41 +0000

After a certain point, and perhaps dozens and even hundreds of versions of spreadsheets, there comes a time to contemplate whether there is an easier way to track data. You know that countless hours can be spent finding and making sense of data when it comes time for planning, budgeting, and in even day to day activities like sales.

Graphic Design Tips for Snapshots

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:55:03 +0000

If you've learned about Snapshots and want to design one yourself, here are some design tips, borrowed from graphic designers, that will help you design a snapshot that is effective visually, and which w

New on-line learning about measurement

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 03 May 2017 16:50:24 +0000

The Social Enterprise Institute (SEI) provides short, on-demand eLearning on a variety of topics that address planning and operational needs of new and mature social enterprises alike. This includes aspects of planning, marketing, pricing, operation and more. Courses have clear learning objectives which are developed through practical activities, and each course is a great gateways for learning with clear direction on where to learn more.

Shared Measurement: WISE Impact Map and Indicators

Bryn Sadownik — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:12:22 +0000

In a recent blog, I described some work that Vancity Community Foundation had led to develop a societal cost calculator for work integration social enterprises (WISE) in Vancouver. Another aspect of the project, was to develop a shared impact map and indicators. While individual social enterprises within Vancouver differ in the goods and services they produce and the way in which they engage individuals who are marginalized, they are

New eLearning for Social Enterprises

Bryn Sadownik — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:15:39 +0000

The Social Enterprise Institute was launched last year to offer on-demand eLearning courses relating to different aspects of launching and strengthening social enterprises. It is geared to make it easier for people to learn about topics that specifically interest them, wherever they may be, and whenever they want.

Farmers Market Measurement Update: Project in Piloting Stage in U.S.

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:48:16 +0000

In 2012, Vancity Community Foundation (VCF) and the BC Association of Farmers Markets collaborated on the development of a Farmers Market Impact Toolkit that is available on the Demonstrating Value resource page.

Get a Leg up with Templates

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 20:15:35 +0000

Templates that can support data collection, analysis and reporting abound in many different formats and locations on websites. You can find these on sites that support community, small business and social enterprise developments, and as part of software tools like Google docs, Survey, Form Builder and Database Tools. Here is a small sampling of the range of templates that are out there that could be directly relevant to what you do.

Calculator for the waning days of Vancouver's transit referendum

Bryn Sadownik — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:26:32 +0000

My vote is long since mailed in, but I am always on the look out for publications and tools that take complex data about impact and relates it to my own personal decisions. Here is a pretty amazing 'data journalism' project called Moving Forward, that explores the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. Even if you do not live in his region, it is a pretty remarkable website with both excellent analysis and tools that can enable you to explore different facets of sustainable transportation.

The slow motion nightmare of implementing software solutions

Bryn Sadownik — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 21:46:05 +0000

The glossy photos of software solutions are very appealing: a person smiling and relaxed while working at a computer (and not looking like they are on the verge of throwing it against a wall); screenshots that show colourful graphics and easy to read data.

The Value of Art and Culture (Part 3 of Connecting the Dots: Helpful Frameworks for Measuring Action and Impact)

Bryn Sadownik — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 18:35:47 +0000

Some of the most challenging impacts to define and measure relate to the value of arts and culture. While it is quite common to see output numbers like attendance and participation rates for arts and culture-related initiatives, rarely do we see measures that relate to deeper impacts.