Guidelines for Defining Project Goals, Outcomes/Impact, Measurement
I Am Trenton wants to help you achieve your greatest potential. If you are seeking, or have
plans to apply to other funders, explaining your impact based on measured data will be very
useful. There is a lot of competition for resources, particularly in the field of social services.
Funders want to know why your work is important and why they should invest in it. They will
ask questions about the project impact, goals and how you have or will measure your efforts. In
order to make the case for funding you will have to describe how you have measured the
project’s outcomes or impact. An outcome is an end result, and can be defined as benefits to
people.
There are several methods of measurement that can be easily performed. Measurement methods
include: project participant surveys; having informal conversations with project participants;
observing changes in project participants; or conducting and recording group conversations. For
more information on ways to measure outcomes see
http://managementhelp.org/evaluation/outcomes-evaluation-guide.htm.
Another very effective way of measuring outcomes, or impact is to collect the stories of project
participants and share them on future grant applications and in final reports. Some funders
specifically ask grantees to share the stories of project participants. For more information on
talking about the impact of your work see Andy Goodman’s top 10 storytelling tips:
https://www.iaea.org/nuccomtoolbox/getthemessage/getting_msg_out04.html
Sample Questions and Responses
Below are some sample responses to questions about goals, outcomes and measurement.
What is the project goal?
The goal of the project is to establish an after school baseball program for 15 young men of color
that teaches them how to work in a team and provides them with leadership skills.
What are the project outcomes?
Intended outcomes include: reducing tension between youth of different ethnic backgrounds;
instilling a sense of responsibility and respect for others; teaching them to work together toward
a common goal; and imparting life-long leadership skills that will help them in school and their
chosen profession.
How will you determine if you have achieved the desired project outcomes?
Volunteer teachers will gather the boys for a preliminary group discussion to talk about how they
feel about working together and record their answers. The boys will complete a survey designed
by teachers and coaches half-way through the project to determine what they are learning and
how they feel toward their teammates. Another survey will be distributed at the end of the
project and some participants will be selected for interviews.
Preparing Your Budget
The application will ask applicants to prepare a projected project budget that demonstrates the
cost for each service to be provided, or supplies to be purchased. In some instances, applicants
may be receiving, or in the process of applying for other grants to be used for the project. They
may also be seeking sponsorships. Applicants may also ask for donated, or in-kind services.
The sample budget below includes four columns to record the description of the project
Expense; the Amount of the expense; where the money is coming from, or the Source of
Funds; and where the applicant is, or the Status, of the request.
If you plan to continue the project beyond I Am Trenton’s potential grant cycle, it will be
important to consider seeking support from multiple sources. A diversified budget (a budget
with multiple sources of funds) is the healthiest budget an organization can achieve. If you have
multiple sources of income, in the event of one source disappearing or not coming through, you
will have others to fill the gap. Remember to ask local businesses to consider donating services
or sponsoring projects. Always ask them to provide the dollar value so that you can list the
amount of donated services or equipment. The more you are able to secure support from local
businesses you will be able to demonstrate that the community values your work. This is another
way to demonstrate the community impact of your work because when local businesses sponsor,
or provide in-kind services to you, they feel your work is valuable.
Expense
Amount
Source of funds
Status
Equipment
$500
IAT Grant
Requested
Equipment
$300
Wal-Mart Grant
Requested
Printed Tee Shirts (15)
$180
Target
Sponsorship
Certain
2 Baseball Coaches - 12 hours
a week @ $20.00
$480
IAT Grant
Requested
$1,200
In Kind Support
provided by Hertz
Certain
2 Volunteer Teacher
Evaluators – 10 hours
throughout the project @ $15
$300
In-kind support –
provided by
volunteers
Certain
Van rental
$150
[Partner]
Probable
Van Rental
Total project cost
Requested from IAT
$2,930
$500
Working with Fiscal Sponsors
THDC Amp grants require a fiscal sponsor. Please click the Grantspace link below to access a
sample fiscal sponsor memorandum of understanding (MOU), and to find out more about these
arrangements.
http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/Individual-Grantseekers/FiscalSponsorship/examples-of-fiscal-sponsorship-agreements
Updated March 24, 2016