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Impact Diagnostic Quiz

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SECTION 1: OUTCOME CLARITY (Questions 1-5)

Q1. Do you have a written outcome statement for your program?

Yes, it's specific and measurable (who/what/how much/when) [5 points] Yes, but it's vague ("improve lives," "increase awareness") [3 points] We have a mission statement, not an outcome statement [1 point] No, we don't have one [0 points]

Q2: Can you answer this question: "What percentage of participants achieved the intended outcome?"

Yes, I know the exact number (e.g., "73% gained employment") [5 points] I know approximately, but not precisely [3 points] I have stories/testimonials but no percentage [1 point] No, I can't answer this [0 points]

Q3: When you describe your program's success, what do you report?

Specific outcome changes with baseline comparison (before vs after) [5 points] Outputs and activities (# served, # workshops, # hours) [2 points] Satisfaction scores and testimonials [2 points] We struggle to articulate success [0 points]

Q4: How clear is your program's theory of change (If we do X, then Y happens)?

Very clear—we can draw the causal chain on paper [5 points] Somewhat clear—it's understood but not documented [3 points] Unclear—we assume our activities lead to outcomes [1 point] We don't have a theory of change [0 points]

Q5: Do funders or your board ever say "outcomes are unclear" in feedback?

Never—our outcomes are always praised [5 points] Rarely (once in 3+ years) [4 points] Sometimes (1-2 times per year) [2 points] Often (3+ times per year or lost funding due to this) [0 points]

SECTION 2: DATA & EVIDENCE (Questions 6-10)

Q6: Do you have baseline data (pre-intervention measurements) for your program?

Yes, comprehensive baseline for all key indicators [6 points] Yes, for some indicators but not all [4 points] No, but we track current data [2 points] No baseline or current data [0 points]

Q7: Where is your program data stored?

Unified system/database (Airtable, Salesforce, custom dashboard) [6 points] One main system (Excel, Google Sheets) [4 points] Multiple disconnected systems (Excel + CRM + paper logs) [2 points] No organized data storage [0 points]

Q8: How often do you update/review your impact data?

Real-time or weekly [6 points] Monthly [5 points] Quarterly [3 points] Only when a report is due (reactive, not proactive) [0 points]

Q9: Can you produce a report showing program impact in under 2 hours?

Yes, our system auto-generates it [6 points] Yes, with manual data pulls/compilation (2-4 hours) [4 points] No, it takes 1-2 days to create a report [1 point] No, it takes a week+ (or we've never tried) [0 points]

Q10: Do you have an Evidence Ledger or system to log proof as you collect it?

Yes, we document evidence in real-time with sources cited [6 points] We save evidence but not systematically [3 points] We rely on staff memory/anecdotes [1 point] No evidence documentation system [0 points]

SECTION 3: LOGIC & INDICATORS (Questions 11-14)

Q11: Do you have a documented logic model (Input → Activity → Output → Outcome → Impact)?

Yes, it's current and used actively [5 points] Yes, but it's outdated (created 2+ years ago, not updated) [3 points] We started one but never finished [1 point] No logic model [0 points]

Q12: How many key performance indicators (KPIs) do you track?

3-8 indicators (focused and manageable) [5 points] 1-2 indicators (too narrow) [3 points] 9-20 indicators (getting overwhelming) [2 points] 20+ indicators (paralysis) OR 0 indicators [0 points]

Q13: For each indicator you track, can you define: numerator, denominator, data source, and collection cadence?

Yes, for all indicators (we have an indicator dictionary) [5 points] Yes, for most indicators [3 points] No, our definitions are inconsistent [1 point] We've never documented this [0 points]

Q14: Does your logic model show HOW activities lead to outcomes (causal links)?

Yes, each arrow has an explanation/assumption [5 points] Partially—some links are explained, others assumed [3 points] No, we just list activities and outcomes separately [1 point] We don't have a logic model [0 points]

SECTION 4: STAKEHOLDER READINESS (Questions 15-18)

Q15: In the last 12 months, have you lost funding, had a grant rejected, or received budget cuts?

No, all renewals approved and budgets maintained [4 points] One minor rejection/cut (but not catastrophic) [2 points] Multiple rejections/cuts [0 points] Yes, we lost major funding ($50K+ or 20%+ of budget) [0 points]

Q16: When presenting to funders or your board, how do they react to your M&E section?

They praise it and ask detailed questions (engaged) [4 points] They accept it without much comment [2 points] They express confusion or ask for clarification [1 point] They criticize it as vague or insufficient [0 points]

Q17: How prepared are you for an external audit or evaluation?

Very prepared—our data is audit-ready with documentation [4 points] Somewhat prepared—we'd need 1-2 weeks to organize [2 points] Not prepared—we'd need a month+ to get ready [0 points] We've never thought about this [0 points]

Q18: Do you have documented evaluation protocols (who collects data, when, how)?

Yes, clear protocols that staff follow [3 points] Informal protocols (not written down) [2 points] No protocols—data collection is ad hoc [0 points]

SECTION 5: SYSTEMS & CAPACITY (Questions 19-20)

Q19: Who manages evaluation/M&E in your organization?

Dedicated M&E staff or consultant (full-time or retainer) [5 points] Program staff as 20-50% of their role [3 points] Program staff as <20% of their role (lowest priority) [1 point] Nobody—it's neglected [0 points]

Q20: How much time per month do you spend on reporting/evaluation activities?

2-5 hours (efficient systems) [5 points] 6-10 hours (manageable) [4 points] 11-20 hours (burdensome) [2 points] 20+ hours (fire drills every deadline) [0 points]

Logic Model Template Library

Download pre-built templates for common program types. Customize in Google Slides.

Youth Workforce Development

For job training, career readiness, apprenticeship, and youth employment programs.

Download Template

Mental Health Services

For counseling, therapy, peer support, crisis intervention, and wellbeing programs.

Download Template

Education & Tutoring

For after-school programs, literacy, STEM education, and academic support services.

Download Template

DEI/Inclusion Programs

For corporate DEI initiatives, ERGs, belonging programs, and equity efforts.

Download Template

CSR/Community Programs

For corporate social responsibility, volunteer programs, and community partnerships

Download Template

Housing & Homelessness

For housing support, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and shelter programs.

Download Template

Outcome Statement Generator

Turn vague goals into funder-ready outcome language. Answer 3 questions, get professional outcome statement.

1. WHO changes? (Be specific about your target population)

2. WHAT changes? (The outcome, not the activity)

3. BY HOW MUCH? (Target or percentage)