A few years back I transitioned from my role leading athletics and after school programs for Green Dot Public Schools to help build what is now UpMetrics.  You know, the ol’ PE teacher goes and helps build an impact tech company story… :) I laugh even typing that, but it’s real!  

Now, well into the UpMetrics journey we consistently are focusing on improving our work and tending to the culture and vibe of this company while growing our client base and partnerships.  It’s been a whirlwind.  Check that—a legit, fun, inspiring, umm…whirlwind!

One of the biggest decisions researchers make is deciding between a qualitative or quantitative approach. At UpMetrics, we feel that this is actually the wrong question to ask — especially when it comes to measuring impact and the way nonprofit organizations use data. We say this because either method will only give you a partial view of the problem. To get the whole picture, you need data from both.

Qualitative data methods allow you to deep dive into the mindset of your audience to discover areas for growth, development, and improvement. 

In many of my recent conversations with investors, I have been struck by some consistent themes that continue to come up as it relates to our vision for more effective impact measurement and management. The good news is that there is clear consensus, and that most investors share the view that a more transparent and collaborative impact investing ecosystem is what is needed to move capital to high-impact opportunities to ultimately drive positive change. There is also consensus as it relates to the obstacles that we will face to achieve this vision, and as such, some question around how we can work together to make this vision a reality. Here are the opportunities and associated challenges that I continue to hear from investors when it comes to more effective and efficient impact measurement and management. 

What can you do with better insights?

What differentiates data and information?

It is hard to believe it has been a full year since we reflected on 2020 – the year that threw the world into upheaval and refocused priorities for all of us. At that time, UpMetrics CEO Drew Payne stressed the importance of the sector coming together to drive the level of change required in this blog post Data Alone Won’t Drive the Change We Need. While 2021 has been another year of grappling with the unexpected, philanthropy met these changes with changes of their own to support positive impact in areas it was needed.

As the world searches for solutions to take on social and environment issues at scale, a new era of impact has arrived. 

Kim Lynes joins Pathmonk Presents Podcast host Lukas Haensch to discuss how UpMetric’s combination of technology and humanity helps our clients reach more support and growth. We all have the opportunity to make a difference, incite change and impact through social good. There are organizations that nobly manifest opportunities to improve the world. However, they can always do with more support to articulate their impact and inspire action.

Investing in Your Monitoring and Evaluation System