Economic Development Metrics (EDM)

Trifold

The Problem

• Impacts of community development programs of non-profit organizations like the United Way of America are difficult to measure.
• Prevailing “outcomes based” measures often lack full quantitative rigor.
• Community development groups have been slow at adopting the latest information technology advances that can enable better monitoring, benchmarking and impact analysis.
• Consequently, non-profits depend on often problematic evidence to support the efficacy of their programs.
• Donors and government sponsors are demanding more transparency and measurable results to maximize the impact of their limited resources.

PERC’s Solution

• Develop a road map for the collection of relevant data.
• Use consumer credit records to track efficacy of financial literacy, homeownership, and small business programs.
• Benchmark the credit records of people enrolled in United Way programs and compare with specifically defined comparison groups and with randomly unselected applicants.
• Develop and test a series of metrics that will test program-level efficacy, identify appropriate time horizon for evaluation, and assist in targeting segments in need.
  

The Roadmap

EDM Year 1 (2008-2009)

• Work with United Way locals in select “pilot” cities to evaluate financial stability programs, structure experimental trials, and assess underlying data.
• Use United Way program data, credit file data, and other data to develop individual financial performance metrics, program performance metrics, and community impact benchmarks.

EDM Year 2 (2009-2010)

• Develop and deploy proto-type dashboard to monitor effects of charitable programs upon program recipients, families, and communities.
• Publish and promote report toplining key findings from 18 months of field research with select United Way locals.
• Encourage widespread use of customized and general performance metrics among community economic development organizations.