Learn how feedback and evaluation can enhance your philanthropic communication for greater impact and stronger relationships with stakeholders.

In my experience, a lot of effort goes into communicating impact to philanthropists without fully considering what will resonate with them. This is especially true when discussing the social return on investment in policy advocacy. Quantitative reports alone often aren't enough. What tends to be more effective is credible third-party validation—such as a letter or public statement from a decision-maker acknowledging that your actions played a significant role in driving change.

Last updated on Aug 19, 2024

Here's how you can enhance your communication strategies in philanthropy with feedback and evaluation.

Philanthropy thrives on effective communication, which is the cornerstone of building trust and fostering long-term relationships with donors, beneficiaries, and the community at large. To enhance your philanthropic endeavors, it's crucial to integrate feedback and evaluation into your communication strategies. This process not only helps in understanding the impact of your efforts but also in identifying areas for improvement. By actively listening to stakeholders and reflecting on the outcomes, you can tailor your approach to be more impactful and resonant with your audience's needs and expectations. In the following sections, you'll discover actionable ways to refine your communication strategies through the lens of feedback and evaluation.

Key takeaways from this article

Gather direct insights:

Conduct surveys or focus groups with your stakeholders. This helps uncover valuable feedback that can refine your communication strategies and build trust.### *Evaluate and act:Regularly assess the impact of your communication updates. Implement changes based on feedback to ensure alignment with your philanthropic goals and improve stakeholder engagement.

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1 Gather Insights

To begin enhancing your communication in philanthropy, start by gathering insights directly from your stakeholders. Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand their perceptions, needs, and suggestions. This direct line of communication opens a dialogue that can reveal invaluable information about the effectiveness of your messaging and the areas where you may need to adjust your tone, language, or delivery methods. By actively seeking out and valuing stakeholder feedback, you demonstrate a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, which can deepen trust and engagement.

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Michael Sheldrick

Co-Founder, Global Citizen | Author of “From Ideas to Impact” (Wiley 2024) | Professor, Columbia University | Speaker, Board Member and Forbes.com Contributor
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In my experience, a lot of effort goes into communicating impact to philanthropists without fully considering what will resonate with them. This is especially true when discussing the social return on investment in policy advocacy. Quantitative reports alone often aren't enough. What tends to be more effective is credible third-party validation—such as a letter or public statement from a decision-maker acknowledging that your actions played a significant role in driving change.

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2 Set Objectives

Defining clear objectives for your communication efforts is essential. These should align with your overall philanthropic goals and be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By setting these objectives, you create a framework for evaluation and a way to measure success. Regularly review your objectives in light of feedback received to ensure they remain relevant and are guiding your strategies effectively. This step ensures that your communications are purpose-driven and results-oriented.

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3 Monitor Progress

Monitoring progress is a continuous process that involves tracking the implementation of your communication strategies and their outcomes. Use tools like a dashboard or progress report that captures key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your communication goals. This could include metrics such as engagement rates, feedback quality, and message reach. Regular monitoring allows for timely adjustments and demonstrates accountability to both your team and external stakeholders.

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4 Analyze Feedback

Once feedback is collected, it’s time to analyze it critically. Look for common themes, suggestions for improvement, and any misconceptions that need addressing. This analysis will guide you in refining your messages and methods of delivery. It's also important to recognize positive feedback and understand what is working well so that you can continue to build on these strengths. Remember, feedback is a tool for learning and growth; embrace it as such.

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5 Implement Changes

After analyzing the feedback, move swiftly to implement changes to your communication strategies. This may involve reworking your messaging, trying new channels of communication, or improving transparency around your philanthropic activities. It's important to communicate these changes back to your stakeholders, showing that their input has been valued and acted upon. This not only improves your strategies but also strengthens stakeholder relationships by showing responsiveness.

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6 Evaluate Impact

Lastly, evaluating the impact of the revised communication strategies is crucial. Assess whether the changes have led to better alignment with your philanthropic goals and whether stakeholder engagement has improved. This evaluation should be an ongoing process, feeding back into the cycle of gathering insights and setting objectives. By continuously evaluating the impact, you ensure that your communication strategies remain dynamic and responsive to the changing needs of your philanthropic endeavors.

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María Teresa Casas Sardiñas

🤝Helping people find their sense of purpose and belonging
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Philanthropy comm strategies are not about creating messages. It’s all about engaging stakeholders! My top tips: • Comm strategies HAVE to be aligned with organizational goals. Revise and adjust systemically and constantly • Find out how stakeholders like to be reached and USE those channels • Once you gather the feedback, make sure you implement changes in a dynamic way My top 3 Qs to evaluate impact: 1) Are the updated strategies reflecting the core values and mission of the org? 2) What are we learning? What are we changing with those learnings? Are we embracing a growth culture? 3) Are we tracking key engagement metrics? Are we seeing a noticeable improvement? Have we increased donor interaction, higher participation in events?

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Here's how you can enhance your communication strategies in philanthropy with feedback and evaluation.

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2

3

4

5

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1 Gather Insights

2 Set Objectives

3 Monitor Progress

4 Analyze Feedback

5 Implement Changes

6 Evaluate Impact

Philanthropy

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Here's how you can enhance your communication strategies in philanthropy with feedback and evaluation.

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Gather Insights

2 Set Objectives

3 Monitor Progress

4 Analyze Feedback

5 Implement Changes

6 Evaluate Impact

Philanthropy

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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