For organizations committed to empowering entrepreneurs, understanding the tangible impact of their programs is essential. Our client, a leading nonprofit accelerator, sought to assess the effectiveness of its curriculum in preparing Black entrepreneurs for long-term business success. By partnering with Planneris, the organization aimed to gain deeper insight into program performance and strengthen outcomes for future participants.

Challenge

The nonprofit sought to measure the impact of its business accelerator program designed to equip Black-owned startups with essential business management skills. While the program demonstrated strong engagement, the organization needed a clear, evidence-based understanding of how effectively the curriculum translated into sustained business growth and long-term entrepreneurial success.

Collaborative Approach

Planneris partnered closely with the client to design and implement a comprehensive impact measurement strategy, emphasizing collaboration at every stage.

The engagement began with exploratory sessions to assess how the organization currently evaluated curriculum effectiveness, identifying both gaps and opportunities for improvement. Working alongside organizational leadership, Planneris reviewed curriculum materials and observed classroom sessions to assess participant engagement and learning transfer.

A mixed-methods research approach was employed, including surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups with both current participants and program alumni. This approach enabled assessment of immediate learning outcomes as well as the real-world application of business skills after program completion.

The study was grounded in established impact measurement frameworks, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights to evaluate behavioral change, business outcomes, and program effectiveness. Together with the client, Planneris identified core program strengths alongside areas for refinement, co-creating recommendations focused on curriculum enhancement, participant engagement, and long-term business growth.

Results

The impact study yielded actionable insights into curriculum effectiveness and opportunities for program evolution. Based on Planneris’ recommendations, the organization developed an alumni-focused support initiative designed to extend engagement beyond program completion.

Equipped with a robust, data-backed impact narrative, the nonprofit successfully communicated its outcomes to key stakeholders and secured $30,000 in additional funding from private donors and local financial institutions. This increase represented a 30% expansion of the program budget and enabled the organization to further strengthen its offerings and continue advancing the growth of Black-owned startups.

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