Responsive Lab Podcast EP 66: Measuring What Matters: Turning Impact into Action for Growing Nonprofits with John Mark & Lauren Vanderpool
Nov 20, 2025
Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool co-lead Social Impact Solutions, helping nonprofits relay their impact effectively. They discuss defining and measuring impact, emphasizing the use of logic models and theory of change. Tips for engaging donors include thanking them and showcasing real outcomes. They dive into the challenge of managing beneficiary stories, recommending tech to analyze sentiments without losing essence. The Vanderpools also highlight the importance of transparent communication for younger nonprofits and embedding data collection into program practices.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Define Impact As Real Change
- Impact is the change your programs create, not website or fundraising metrics.
- Start measuring with a logic model and map inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact.
Break Down Internal Silos
- Bring fundraising, marketing, and program teams together to build shared impact measures.
- Loop in operations or data teams to determine realistic data capture and reporting processes.
Use Impact To Deepen Donor Giving
- Thank donors and show the difference their gifts already make before asking for more.
- Use current impact data plus a clear future vision to invite increased giving.
