How do you measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry?

2 Track your activities

One way to measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry is to track your activities and inputs. How many people do you serve and how often? What kinds of services and resources do you provide and how much do they cost? How many volunteers and staff do you have and how much time do they spend? Tracking your activities and inputs will help you monitor your capacity, efficiency, and quality of service.

3 Assess your outcomes

Another way to measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry is to assess your outcomes and outputs. What are the results and benefits of your activities and inputs for the people you serve and the community you operate in? How do you measure and document these outcomes and outputs? For example, you could use indicators like the number of people who find housing, employment, or health care; the level of satisfaction, well-being, or empowerment of the people you serve; or the reduction of homelessness, crime, or stigma in your community. Assessing your outcomes and outputs will help you demonstrate your impact, value, and accountability.

4 Collect feedback

A third way to measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry is to collect feedback from the people you serve, the community you operate in, and your volunteers and staff. How do they perceive and experience your ministry? What are their needs, preferences, and expectations? What are their suggestions, compliments, and complaints? How do you solicit and respond to their feedback? For example, you could use methods like surveys, interviews, focus groups, testimonials, or suggestion boxes. Collecting feedback will help you understand your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

5 Analyze and report

A fourth way to measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry is to analyze and report your data and information. How do you organize, store, and manage your data and information? How do you analyze and interpret your data and information? How do you report and share your findings and recommendations? For example, you could use tools like spreadsheets, databases, charts, graphs, or stories. Analyzing and reporting your data and information will help you learn, improve, and communicate your homeless ministry.

6 Review and adapt

A fifth way to measure the impact and effectiveness of your homeless ministry is to review and adapt your goals, activities, outcomes, and feedback. How do you evaluate your performance and progress? How do you celebrate your successes and address your challenges? How do you adjust your plans and strategies based on your findings and recommendations? For example, you could use processes like meetings, reviews, audits, or action plans. Reviewing and adapting your homeless ministry will help you grow, innovate, and sustain your service and outreach.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?