Social Return on Investment
What is the Social Return on Investment for a writing and literacy program for inner-city children?
1 minute read
Challenge
Nonprofits and charities often generate a lasting, positive impact in their communities but often lack the capacity to measure it. Investors, government agencies, and other influential institutions are more likely to provide funding and support to those organizations that are able to demonstrate their impact.
Solution
The Canvas team worked with a nonprofit delivering writing and literacy skills programming for inner-city children to measure the social return on investment (SROI) of their program. Working through a Theory of Change and logic model framework, we helped analyze the impact resulting from programming targeting children aged 6-12, including children who may be facing barriers in their lives due to their families’ ethnic and socio-economic background. Over 700 kids experience their programming annually, receiving individualized attention from mentors and support. This organization goes beyond just reading and writing activities to ensure the children have access to positive role models, have fun with their peers, and are able to develop strong self-confidence and self-determination.
Results
Combining the academic literature and socioeconomic data, we were able to evaluate the effectiveness of their programming, measured their impact using a cost-benefit analysis, and recommended best practices for impact measurement moving forward.