In this step you will: Synthesize the program evaluation and present key findings.
This step synthesizes the results of your Case for Investment analysis, presenting key findings in qualitative, quantitative, and financial (dollar) terms. It also gives guidance on how to make the most out of all your hard work, emphasizing the importance of effectively communicating these results to stakeholders, decision-makers, and funders. This stage helps embed the Social Return on Investment (SROI) process in your organization by guiding you on presenting and leveraging your findings.
| For this Step: | |
| Resources Required: | Compile qualitative, quantitative, and financial data from all previous steps. Consider using software like Canva or Adobe Creative for visuals and Google Docs or Microsoft Word report creation. |
| Expected Outcomes: | Written report and community summaries that can be shared to diverse audiences |
| Tools: | Reporting Template (Tool 8a) Grant Writing Template (Tool 8b) |
Communicating your Case for Investment in a way that is relevant and resonates with your audience ensures that all stakeholders understand the value of your program. Your report should tell the story of change and explain the decisions made during your analysis, encompassing more than just the ROI derived in Step 6 – it should convey the entire social value created by your CBWM program. This involves including qualitative narratives and quantitative insights to provide decision-makers and funders with a complete picture of the social impact being generated.
Additionally, it should provide enough information for readers to trust that your calculations are robust and accurate. This can be achieved by clearly documenting all decisions and assumptions made throughout the toolkit. At the same time, be mindful of including information that is confidential or sensitive when deciding what to include in the report.
Common Information Included in a Social Return on Investment (SROI) Report:
- Program Overview: A discussion about the program’s work, key stakeholders, and activities.
- Scope of Analysis: A description of the analysis scope, stakeholder and partner involvement, data collection methods, and any assumptions and limitations underlying the analysis.
- Case Studies or Quotes: Stories or quotes from participants that illustrate specific findings.
- Calculation Details: Details of the calculations, including any estimates or assumptions made.
- Executive Summary: A concise summary of key findings.
- Audit Trail: A record of decision-making, including which stakeholders, outcomes, or indicators were included or excluded and why.
Communicating your Social Return on Investment (SROI)
While the final ROI is important, the number on its own does not have much meaning. The ROI is simply a way to express the value you’ve calculated. A Social return on investment (SROI) is a method for measuring values that are not traditionally reflected. A strong SROI is presented alongside other contextual information, such as narratives, photos, anecdotes, and real stories that illustrate how change is being created over time. Including these case studies from participants, partners, and stakeholders helps provide a comprehensive understanding for your SROI.
Creating a Media Kit
It could be helpful to create a Media Kit to set consistent messaging, adapt the Case for Investment report to different audiences, and align with your organization’s identity. This way, although the written report is primarily directed to funding organizations, all interested and affected parties receive digestible information about your Case for Investment. Some components are:
- Press Releases: Announcements that share significant findings, achievements, and updates. They can serve to inform local communities or the media about the impact of your CBWM program.
- Fact Sheets and Brochures: Brief, visual summaries that explain key data and program details, suitable for audiences like community groups and funders.
- Graphics and Visuals: Infographics, charts, or images that visualize the ROI and social value, making complex information easier for interested audiences to digest.
- Contact Information: Clear details on how stakeholders can reach out for further inquiries, encouraging transparency and open communication.
- Video: A concise video that conveys the program’s key activities and outcomes can be an effective way to engage stakeholders and amplify on digital platforms. It could feature testimonies from participants, visuals of community initiatives, and data summaries.
- Communications and Branding Guidelines: Guidelines for internal and external use that ensures consistent messaging across all communication channels. This can cover the tone, key messages, branding standards for visuals, logos, colours, etc.
- Free tools for community engagement: You can offer free resources like online collaboration tools (Miro or Mural), informational pamphlets, or come up with creative ways to encourage community to stay informed and engaged. These resources can be shared through different channels like your website, newsletters, and public outreach efforts.
- Analytics and Impact Statistics: Summaries of quantitative insights, like the total number of stakeholders engaged, areas monitored, data points collected, or any measurable improvement in water quality.
Process
1. Review and compile data
Start by reviewing all the data and outcomes obtained from the previous steps, including qualitative feedback, quantitative assessments, and the dollar values derived in step 6 as well as any other relevant financial figures.
2. Highlight key messages and insights
Identify the most significant findings or insights drawn from each step. This could include pinpointing benefits or assets that show the highest financial impact, the objectives and benefits most valued by affected parties, or any unexpected successes or lessons learned. It could also involve highlighting testimonials from feedback, important statistics and data about your program’s activities, and any notable changes in the community as a result of the CBWM program.
3. Align findings with financial context
Make sure to incorporate financial figures like ROI and other dollar equivalents to provide context for your findings. Present these alongside qualitative information, such as stories, testimonials, and visualized changes, to give stakeholders a comprehensive picture of the program’s impact. This balance between financial and narrative elements supports a well-rounded Case for Investment.
4. Build a clear narrative
Structure the findings into a clear narrative, using the Tool 8a’s report template as a guide. Follow the template’s structure—covering key areas such as project background, objectives, and key milestones—while integrating context about the CBWM program and its stakeholders. The report should go into detail about the analysis, from the introduction and project background to benefits identification, impact measurement, ROI calculation, and key insights. Supplement the report with appendices like stakeholder engagement, data collection methods, and detailed calculations to bolster transparency and credibility.
5. Present findings in accessible formats.
Communicate your findings in multiple formats tailored to various audiences. You can use visuals like graphs, charts, and infographics for quantitative data and pair these with anecdotes, testimonials, and case studies for qualitative insights. Resources like Canva, Venngage, and Piktochart can help create compelling infographics and visual content. Consider building out a media kit, and producing summaries, presentations, reports, and community-specific overviews to reach different stakeholders effectively.
5. Communicate effectively.
Communicate the synthesized findings in a way that is accessible and understandable to stakeholders, making sure that both qualitative and quantitative aspects are expressed. With a range of communication materials, like infographics, presentations, reports and community overviews, you can tailor the communication of your findings to different audiences. Use financial, results-focused language in reports and applications for funding organization, and opt for clear, engaging language in materials for public and community audiences.