History
In the late 1990’s, more than 300 leading community development practitioners, intermediaries, funders, researchers, and evaluators came together to tackle the ongoing challenge of measuring the outcomes of a broad range of people and place-based programs and investments. Their goal was to develop an outcome evaluation methodology that was:
- Participatory
- Collaborative
- Rigorous
- Credible, and
- Capacity- and knowledge- building for organizations and the field.
Out of this collaborative effort, Success Measures was born. Initially developed by the Development Leadership Network and the McAuley Institute, and supported by engaged funders, Success Measures joined NeighborWorks America as a social enterprise in 2004.
Since its inception, Success Measures has evolved, gaining national recognition for comprehensive evaluation consulting and strategic learning processes as well as technical assistance, measurement tools, and technology provided to more than 1,000 local and national organizations, funders, and intermediary partners in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Over time, we have focused our efforts and deepened our partnerships with community-based organizations, CDFIs, intermediaries and foundations working to support communities that have had limited access to opportunities in order to ensure all individuals have the resources they need to thrive. Throughout this evolution, our longstanding commitment to participatory and transparent practices has elevated community voices for over twenty years, laying the foundation for enduring change in communities and organizations.
Learn more at About Success Measures