CAT004: Make It Count

Make It COUNT The Ar t of Creating Measurable Change globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

ENERGY, SINCERITY, CLARITY OF VISION, CREATIVITY... Dan Eldon (1970-1993) Creative Activist

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make it count Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to take daily walks on the beach. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count One day, he came across a young man picking up small objects and throwing them into the ocean. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count He came closer and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?” globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count The young man paused, looked up, and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.” globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Puzzled, the wise man said, “But, young man, there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile. You can’t possibly make a difference!” globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count The young man bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.” Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977) globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count This story is usually used to show the difference that just one person can make. And it does make that point well. But we can draw another lesson from it: The young man is able to stay fully committed to his work because he’s able to see with his own eyes the impact he’s making. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count We all want to see PROOF that our work makes a difference, however small. Funders and donors want to see it, volunteers want to see it, and WE – changemakers - want to see it. We want to know that all the time and effort we put into our project pay off. That’s why it’s important that we measure outcome. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Measuring outcome involves asking one main question: What difference are you making to the beneficiary of your cause? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count If you’re trying to help the environment, how is it different because of your work? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count If you’re helping people, how are they better off? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Outcome ISN’T Outcome IS amount of money number of you raise for students you put education through school globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Outcome ISN’T Outcome IS number of number of plastic recycling bins you bottles you recycle put on the streets globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004 page 15 of 31 ➤

make it count Outcome ISN’T Outcome IS number of vegan number of people pamphlets you who become pass out vegans globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Outcome ISN’T Outcome IS number of getting a critical signatures you get legislation passed for a petition globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count As you can see, some outcomes are easier to measure than others and some are quicker to realize than others. Outcome measurement is especially challenging with advocacy, awareness, and prevention campaigns because the results are usually not immediate or visible to you. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t launch such campaigns. But you might consider including activities that have more immediate outcomes. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count So, how do you MEASURE OUTCOME? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Measuring outcome is as much art as it is science. There is no absolute right way. But you can start by answering three basic questions: Who or what am I trying to help? How do I want things to be different for the beneficiary? What indicator or data would tell me if things are different? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count For example... How do I want What indicators or things to be data would tell me Who or what am I different for the if things are trying to help? beneficiary? different? Number of teens Teen smokers Quit Smoking who quit Free from tons of e-waste Environment electronic waste recycled Number enrolled in Able to go to AIDS orphans school; number of school graduates Number of wells dug, Have clean people using wells, African villages water supply cases of water-related diseases globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Now it’s your turn. A few suggestions... Try to come up with more than one outcome measurement. Think of outcomes that are short, medium and long term. When helping people, outcome can include new knowledge and skills (short term), new behavior (medium term), new values and status (long term). globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Your turn... How do I want What indicators or things to be data would tell me Who or what am I different for the if things are trying to help? beneficiary? different? globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Now that you have your indicators, show them to others to get feedback. Once you’re satisfied you have good indicators, use them to... set goals collect the data you need report them to funders and supporters Some final thoughts... globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count “If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. If you can't manage it, you can't deliver it. If you can't deliver it, you have no social value.” David Hunter Nonproﬁt management consultant globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count “How is the world diﬀerent because you are here?” Bill Drayton Founder, Ashoka globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count Additional Resources: Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation by Carter McNamara Outcome Measurement Resource Network (United Way) Outcome-based Evaluation (University of Oregon) globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count We invite you to share your outcomes with us. Good luck! Click image to visit our community. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

make it count if you use this toolkit... tell us! post your outcome indicators at globalyouth.ning.com. ask for feedback. let us know if this chapter helped you or how it can be improved. download and forward... share this with someone you know. you can download this chapter from slideshare.net subscribe... enter your email address at globalyouth.ning.com to get alerts when more toolkits are posted. globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

about the author Charles Tsai is the founder and Executive Director of Global Youth Fund and also works for Ashoka’s Youth Venture as Director of Virtual Program. Previously, he worked at CNN as a reporter and producer. www.charlestsai.com creative activist toolkit thanks The Creative Activist Toolkit is a series of PDF The Creative Visions Foundation booklets designed to help today’s youth The Vancouver Foundation impact the world through creativity and social The Steve Nash Foundation entrepreneurship. Produced by the Global Youth Fund and the Creative Visions Jon and Amy Eldon Turteltaub, Joanne Marien Foundation, the toolkit chapters are offered Elaine Munro, Debbie Riopel, Jaspal Lisa Rai free to download. Email us if you would like Bruce Johnson, Brooke Kuhn, Serge Martin to contribute a chapter. Copyright ©2009 Global Youth Fund credits Feel free to pass this booklet on but you may Amy Eldon Turteltaub Executive Producer not alter the content or charge for it. You may Charles Tsai Managing Director quote brief sections if you credit Global Youth Fund and provide a link to Photos from Invisible Children, Ashoka’s globalyouth.ning.com Youth Venture and iStockphoto.com globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 004

Global Youth Fund 550 Paciﬁc Street, Suite 502 Vancouver, BC V6Z 3G2 CANADA Tel: +1 (604) 628-1807 www.globalyouthfund.org

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CAT004: Make It Count

by Charles Tsai on Aug 14, 2009

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