M&E

What if this were the basis of monitoring and evaluation in the nonprofit sector?

Much of the way impact is evaluated centers on accountability between organizations and their funders and for some time I’ve been interested in how we can move towards increased accountability between nonprofit organizations and end users. Upward accountability (between organizations and funders) is important. People certainly have a right to understand where their money is going. But, responsible use of funds tells us nothing about whether goods and services were received by those in need, whether they were necessary or utilized, and certainly gives no indication of the qualitative nature of the interaction between service provider and end user. To understand this, we must find ways to listen well. 

Another facet of impact evaluation we rarely consider is that of the impact to those involved in service delivery. What of those humans? Burnout is oft talked about, but rarely monitored. What if we monitored the health and well-being of all the humans an organization interacts with? What might that look like?