Impact Measurement Study: Empowering Growth for Black-Owned Businesses

For organizations committed to empowering entrepreneurs, understanding the tangible impact of their programs is essential. Our client, a leading nonprofit accelerator, needed a comprehensive impact measurement strategy to assess the effectiveness of their curriculum in preparing Black entrepreneurs for long-term success. By partnering with Planneris, they sought to gain deeper insights into their program’s performance and enhance its outcomes for future participants.

Challenge

A nonprofit organization aimed to measure the impact of their business accelerator program, designed for Black-owned startups, in delivering essential business management skills. They needed a clear understanding of the program’s effectiveness in fostering long-term success for entrepreneurs.

Collaborative Approach

We partnered with the client to design and implement an impact measurement strategy, emphasizing collaboration at every step. First, we conducted exploratory sessions to assess how the organization currently measured curriculum success, identifying both gaps and opportunities for improvement. Working closely with their leadership, we gained access to the curriculum structure and observed classroom dynamics to evaluate engagement and learning transfer.

Our mixed-methods approach included surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups with both current participants and alumni, allowing us to assess the immediate learning outcomes and the practical application of business skills after completing the program. The research was built on established impact measurement models, using both quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights to measure behavioral change and business success.

Together with the client, we identified core areas of strength within the program and areas that needed refining. This collaboration allowed us to co-create solutions tailored to their specific needs, focusing on enhancing curriculum design, participant engagement, and long-term business growth.

Results

The impact study revealed valuable insights, highlighting curriculum strengths and opportunities for improvement. Our recommendations led to the creation of an alumni-focused program to further support entrepreneurs after graduation. Armed with this robust analysis, the nonprofit successfully communicated the program’s impact to key stakeholders and secured an additional $30,000 in funding from private donors and local financial institutions, boosting the program's budget by 30%. This increase in resources will further empower the organization to refine its offerings and continue supporting Black-owned startups in their growth journey.