1.8 Charting Impact Framework

Purpose

The Charting Impact Framework by Independent Sector is a strategic tool designed to help nonprofit organizations and foundations evaluate and communicate their impact. It provides a standardized format for donors and organizations to communicate goals, strategies, and outcomes. It is adaptable to various organizational contexts, ensuring its relevance to a broad range of entities within the nonprofit sector. It is used by these sectors to demonstrate effectiveness and engage stakeholders.

The assessment, which is based on five questions, is completed by individual leaders, boards, management teams, or groups practicing a shared leadership model. Results are presented in a concise and informative report highlighting plans and progress for key audiences. The results of the Charting Impact assessment are primarily used by:

Organizational leaders: To refine strategies, improve operations, and enhance overall impact.

Donors and stakeholders: To evaluate the effectiveness of the organization and make informed decisions about support and collaboration.

Public Audiences: To understand the organization’s goals, strategies, and progress, fostering greater transparency and trust.

The report serves as a valuable communication tool that can attract and reassure donors, engage stakeholders, and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to achieving its objectives. Success in these areas is also seen as a reflection of the effectiveness of the organization’s leadership.

Description 

These questions prompt self-reflection and critical examination of the organization’s mission, past results, and future aspirations.

Responses regarding these topic areas are used create a comprehensive report. While there is not specific reliability and validity data for the Charting Impact framework, its widespread adoption and use by reputable rating organizations like Independent Sector, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar suggest its credibility and practical value. One limitation that can be noted is that the framework’s effectiveness may vary based on how rigorously organizations engage with the self-assessment process.

Access 

The Charting Impact Framework can be accessed online at https://independentsector.org/resource/charting-impact/. It is also accessible via academic journals and research databases, including in the relevant articles listed in the references section. To use the tool, permission from the authors or copyright owners may be necessary. It is advised to contact the authors directly or refer to the articles for detailed information about availability and permissions.

References

Independent Sector. (2014). CHARTING IMPACT: A framework for understanding and communicating your impact.

Independent Sector. (2015). Organizational Leadership Assessments: Technical report.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance. (2016). Organizational Leadership Assessments: Predictive validity study.