Collecting data helps voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations understand, demonstrate and communicate the difference they make.
You do not need to become a data expert. Start with the questions that matter to your organisation, use methods that are realistic for your team and build your approach over time.
“Collecting data helps voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations understand, demonstrate and communicate the difference they make.
You do not need to become a data expert. Start with the questions that matter to your organisation, use methods that are realistic for your team and build your approach over time.”
Community First Yorkshire impact guidance
Plan your impact
Define the change you want to create, understand outputs and outcomes, and build a simple
Theory of Change.
Collect useful data
Choose practical ways to gather numbers, feedback, experiences, stories and other
useful evidence.
Understand your findings
Analyse your data, explore any trends or themes and combine numbers with people’s experiences.
Use national and local data
Find trusted datasets to understand local need and provide context for your organisation’s work.
Write and share your impact report
Turn your evidence into
a clear and engaging report for funders,
trustees, supporters and communities.
We need to clarify what change we want to create.
We know our aims but need to collect evidence.
We have information but do not know what it means.
We need local data to evidence the need for our work.
We are ready to present our results.
Four useful terms that appear throughout the guides.
The activities, services or resources you deliver that can be counted. This might include the number of sessions, events, resources or people supported.
The changes, benefits or improvements experienced by the communities or people you support as a result of your activities, services or resources.
The wider or longer-term difference you contribute towards, including lasting changes or outcomes experienced by people, communities or systems.
The information you collect to help you understand your work. It can include numbers, stories, photos, drawings, quotes, observations and more.
Community First Yorkshire can help with impact planning, governance, funding, volunteering and other aspects of running a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation.
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