Measurement Plan for Nonprofit

Choose a non-profit and follow the steps in KDP's reading to setup a measurement plan.  In a blog post, explain each step and back up any recommendations you make.

For this assignment I choose to use the nonprofit I currently look for based here in Lansing. That nonprofit is the Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC) which drives to develop science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) skills in those of low-income homes or at-risk youth. This somewhat covers the first two steps of a measurement plan but I'll go into more detail.

Step 1: Use your mission to define your objectives.

So as mentioned the objective of the organization is to develop STEM skills in the Lansing area with a focus on low-income or disadvantaged homes or communities. Currently the focus is on building required computer skills in adults and making children excited about science, math and related areas of education. Some objectives to accomplish this mission would be to secure and raise a source of required resources such as funds, staff and volunteers, locations, etc. Increasing the organizations reputation and visibility in a positive way is another objective. Ensuring the organization is on the right path towards its mission is another important objective to measure.

Step 2: Identify and Prioritize Your Audience.

The audience is currently limited mostly to those in the capital area but most focused in the Lansing area. The audience who should be prioritized above all else is those the organization seeks to help. This would be those individuals who need more education or experience in STEM areas. Currently there is programs for adults and children mostly in the fourth to sixth grade. Schools, donors, employees, and volunteers are also stakeholders in the organization.Michigan State University and Lansing Community College are two higher education institutions that support ITEC in some way. The organization also operates in several schools and community centers to offer after school programs so students at those schools or children in the surrounding area are also important individuals of interest.

Step 3: Establish a Benchmark

A benchmark should be created using information from similar organizations as well as information from previous years. This information can be used to compare future results with for many areas. Cost effectiveness, resource procurement, and mission impact are all important things to benchmark and measure.

Step 4: Pick Your Metric

Examples for this organization are:
- Percent satisfaction of target audience.
- Maintaining a certain amount of funding or even increasing it by a certain amount/percentage.
- The amount of publicity or visibility of the organization.
- Positive reputation percentage among the community.

Step 5: Pick A Measurement Tool

Surveys can be used to get an idea on audience satisfaction as well gauge reputation. However web analytical tools can also be used to get some input from social media and news sites as well as measuring any changes in site traffic/activity. Financial tools can be used to measure the funding of the organization.

Step 6: Analyze Results and Make Changes

 Perhaps even more important to nonprofits than for-profits is the analyzing of results. An organization needs to be aware of whether or not it is making positive growth and for a nonprofit these results may mean the difference between further funding or the loss of it. If an organization is seen to be under performing to a benchmark or goal then it needs to examine its parts to get back on the right track.