So, Now What? (Part 3)

(This is the third part of our Capital Impact Series. We suggest reading part 1 and part 2 before continuing) 

At this point you are either energized or overwhelmed or both at the thought of capturing your impact. 

The good news, no, great news, is that Impact can and should be linked to existing research.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.  You just have to connect your wheel to someone else's.   

Let me explain.  Here at SEED we use Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) as the theoretical foundation for most of our evaluation work.   Growth is tracked over three domains: Being, Doing and Relating.  If you’ve worked with us in the past, you are very familiar with our competency ladders.   

Why do we use SEL? 

SEL has already been linked to Impacting significant aspects of not only one’s personal life, but the community at large. People with stronger SEL competencies are more likely to have:

When we can demonstrate SEL outcomes (personal change) we can connect that change to the Impact on greater areas of corporate change.  This correlation is supported by any data you have on program alumni: quotes, stories and/or statistics.

When you connect your Impact to existing research you are connecting the dots for your investors to appreciate the amazing difference they make.

When change is experienced by one person and backed up with supporting data from a larger group, it’s not hard at all to imagine the ripple effects that the community will see in the near future!

This is the change that transforms the world.  

This is Impact.

And your donors LOVE it!

Ready to start your Impact Journey?  Email us at possibilities@seedimpact.org 

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Sonja Schappert Howden has been a SEED Impact evaluation client for six years and now leads SEEDing Stronger Together in the Tenderloin of San Francisco, as SEED Impact's Chief Impact Officer.