From Data Chaos to Clarity: Rethinking Nonprofit Impact with Ori Carmel & Sophie Blondeau

The Social Impact Solutions Podcast

• 67 min

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In this episode of the Social Impact Solutions Podcast, Lauren Vanderpool is joined by Ori Carmel and Sophie Blondeau of Sowen to explore the complex world of nonprofit impact measurement—and how organizations can move from fragmented data and fuzzy definitions to clarity, alignment, and transformation. Drawing on their experience advising nonprofits and for-purpose organizations across the globe, Ori and Sophie deliver a candid, thoughtful, and practical conversation on the real challenges of impact measurement in 2025. Takeaways - Measuring impact is essential for nonprofits to demonstrate their effectiveness. - Understanding your organization's mission and vision is crucial for impact measurement. - A clear theory of change helps organizations focus on their goals. - Stakeholder mapping is vital for understanding different perspectives on impact. - Fragmented data is a common challenge for organizations, but progress is possible. - Short-term metrics are important for tracking progress, but long-term impact is the ultimate goal. - Centralized data systems could enhance impact measurement but come with challenges. - Organizations should embrace a data maturity model to assess their capabilities. - Creating sustainable solutions requires a multi-faceted approach. - Engaging in conversations about impact measurement can lead to valuable insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nonprofit Impact Measurement 08:34 Defining Impact in the Nonprofit Sector 14:13 The Importance of Theory of Change and Logic Models 20:25 Stakeholder Mapping and Its Role in Impact Measurement 26:18 Challenges of Fragmented Data in Nonprofits 35:28 Exploring Central Data Repositories in Social Impact 40:19 Stakeholder Perspectives on Data Sharing 41:38 The Role of Centralized Data in Health and Human Services 43:28 Lessons from COVID-19: Data Sharing in Crisis 49:02 Balancing Short-Term Metrics with Long-Term Change 01:00:03 Key Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders