Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast

What Does Good Measurement Look Like in Practice? 4 Core Metrics for Your Dashboard


Listen Later

In this episode, I walk through the 4 core metrics vital for your nonprofit's success. I can't overstate the importance of tracking and understanding your organization's health, effectiveness, and alignment with its mission. Yet, for many nonprofit leaders, navigating this terrain can feel overwhelming and perplexing, leaving them unsure of where to begin.

I'm sharing a four-part, structured approach to tracking and measuring your organization's health on a month-to-month basis.

While the concept of metrics may seem daunting, they are simply a targeted set of data that you and your team choose to track and analyze. Much like numbers on a dashboard, these metrics serve as quick and efficient indicators of your organization's overall health and performance. By paying attention to these metrics, you can identify areas that require further attention and ensure that your organization remains on the path to success. Remember, you don’t need to track every metric; instead, focus on selecting 1-3 key metrics in each of the four crucial areas of your organization’s health and operations.

What Listeners Will Learn:

  • How to select and apply 1-3 crucial metrics in four pivotal areas to monitor your nonprofit's health and operations effectively.
  • The significance of aligning your resources and activities with your strategic goals through Strategic Alignment Metrics.
  • Strategies for maintaining your nonprofit's financial health and ensuring long-term sustainability with Financial Performance Metrics.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Program Impact Metrics: Understand the direct effects of your work by tracking the right program outcomes.
  2. Strategic Alignment Metrics: Ensure your activities and resources are laser-focused on your strategic objectives.
  3. Financial Performance Metrics: Keep your organization financially healthy with key indicators like liquidity and fundraising efficiency.
  4. Stakeholder Engagement Metrics: Gauge the strength of your relationships with donors, volunteers, and the community.
  5. Simplicity is Key: Focus on a few significant metrics rather than getting overwhelmed by data.


Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Identify Key Areas: Program Impact, Strategic Alignment, Financial Performance, and Stakeholder Engagement.
  2. Select Metrics: Choose 1-3 metrics in each area that best reflect your nonprofit's goals and challenges.
  3. Implement Tracking: Set up systems to regularly collect and analyze data on these metrics.
  4. Review and Adjust: Regularly review metrics to ensure they remain aligned with your strategic goals and adjust as necessary.


Resources Mentioned:

  • Nonprofit Template Vault: A comprehensive resource with a detailed overview of recommended metrics, calculations, and a model dashboard for your team.
  • 4 Parts of a Strong Financial Dashboard Episode: An in-depth discussion on key financial metrics for nonprofits.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

Connect with me!

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Nonprofit Mastermind PodcastBy Brooke Richie-Babbage

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

75 ratings


More shows like Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast

View all
The Look & Sound of Leadership by Essential Communications - Tom Henschel

The Look & Sound of Leadership

1,173 Listeners

Coaching for Leaders by Dave Stachowiak

Coaching for Leaders

1,464 Listeners

Death, Sex & Money by Slate Podcasts

Death, Sex & Money

7,724 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,528 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,616 Listeners

Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik by Jim Kwik, Your Brain Coach, Founder www.KwikLearning.com

Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik

4,841 Listeners

Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

Worklife with Adam Grant

9,182 Listeners

The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

The Dr. Hyman Show

9,282 Listeners

Nonprofit Lowdown by Rhea Wong

Nonprofit Lowdown

129 Listeners

At The Table with Patrick Lencioni by Patrick Lencioni

At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

1,125 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,129 Listeners

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson by Higher Ground

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

12,831 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

19,472 Listeners

What Now? with Trevor Noah by Trevor Noah

What Now? with Trevor Noah

3,871 Listeners

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

8,207 Listeners