<![CDATA[RESEARCH YOUR WAY - Blog]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:56:28 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[A Simple Way to Build an Evaluation Habit in Your Team]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:16:23 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/a-simple-way-to-build-an-evaluation-habit-in-your-teamMaking evaluation part of your culture doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s one small step you can take:
At your next team meeting, ask one question:
“What did we learn this week?”
Write the answers down. Then at the end of the month, share them back with the team.
Why this works:
  • Keeps learning front of mind.
  • Builds a culture of reflection.
  • Turns evaluation from a one-off report into a weekly habit.
Small, regular check-ins like this are what create an evaluation mindset across your whole organisation.
​]]><![CDATA[How One Small Charity Shifted from Fear to Growth with Evaluation]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:15:01 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/how-one-small-charity-shifted-from-fear-to-growth-with-evaluationA small charity I worked with used to dread evaluation.
Every time feedback came in, the team braced themselves. They felt defensive, as if they were being judged.
Then they made a shift. Instead of asking “Did we pass or fail?”, they started asking:
  • What worked well?
  • What didn’t?
  • What can we try differently next time?
The result?
  • More openness.
  • Less stress.
  • Real improvements to services.
Takeaway: An evaluation mindset is the difference between fear and growth.
]]><![CDATA[Is Evaluation About Accountability or Learning in Your Organisation?]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:12:27 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/is-evaluation-about-accountability-or-learning-in-your-organisationFor many CICs and charities, evaluation feels like a verdict:
  • Did we succeed?
  • Or did we fail?
But the real value comes when we treat evaluation as learning:
  • What worked?
  • What didn’t?
  • What can we try differently next time?
Question for you: In your organisation, is evaluation mainly about accountability — or about learning and growth?
​]]><![CDATA[What Does It Mean to Have an Evaluation Mindset in Your Organisation?]]>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:38:00 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-have-an-evaluation-mindset-in-your-organisationIsn’t evaluation just about surveys and reports?
Not really. Evaluation starts with mindset — how you approach learning in your organisation.
An evaluation mindset means:
  • Asking: “What can we learn from this?”
  • Seeing feedback as fuel, not criticism.
  • Valuing progress and growth, not just final outcomes.
Why it matters:
When your team views evaluation as learning — not judgment — it becomes a source of energy, not stress. This shift is what helps CICs and charities adapt, grow, and show impact more confidently.
Reflection for you: Does your organisation treat evaluation as judgment, or as an opportunity to learn?]]><![CDATA[Demystifying Evaluation: A Simple Guide for Charities and CICs Evaluation doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.]]>Fri, 30 May 2025 16:43:54 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/demystifying-evaluation-a-simple-guide-for-charities-and-cics-evaluation-doesnt-have-to-be-complicated-or-intimidating

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

Why are you evaluating? Funders often ask for impact data, but evaluation can also help you improve your services, secure more funding, and celebrate successes.

Step 2: Choose the Right Methods

Surveys? Interviews? Case studies? The best approach depends on your audience and the type of data you need.

Step 3: Make Data Useful

Too many organisations collect data that never gets used. Good evaluation tells a story, helping you communicate your impact clearly to stakeholders.

Step 4: Report Properly


Your reporting should meet the needs of your audience. Short report, long reports, executive summaries, policy briefings, infographics, films, cartoons – there are so many options!  But if you don’t consider the preferences and needs of your audience when you design your reporting, your organisation’s amazing impact is less likely to be discovered!
Research Your Way specialises in helping charities and CICs develop practical, meaningful evaluation strategies. Let’s chat about how we can help your organisation!
]]><![CDATA[Charities and CICs Must Demonstrate their Impact Effectively]]>Fri, 30 May 2025 16:33:23 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/charities-and-cics-must-demonstrate-their-impact-effectivelyMany funders now require robust evaluation plans, but this doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As an experienced evaluator, I help organisations develop practical, meaningful frameworks that don’t drain resources.
​

Step 1: Define What Success Looks Like

Start by being clear on your intended impact. What are your aims? Are you improving mental health? Increasing employment opportunities? Reducing social isolation?

Step 2: Gather the Right Data

Surveys, focus groups, interviews, and case studies all have their place, but they must be fit for purpose. Avoid collecting data for data’s sake! Everything should be tied back to your impact aims.

Step 3: Make Evaluation Part of Your Organisation’s Culture

The best evaluations don’t just happen at the end of a project, they are integrated into ongoing work. Training your team and embedding simple evaluation processes will help you track and showcase success.

If your organisation needs evaluation support, Research Your Way offer training, templates, and done-for-you services. Let’s chat about how we can help!

]]><![CDATA[How to Make Your CIC’s Impact Last Beyond the Funding Period]]>Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/how-to-make-your-cics-impact-last-beyond-the-funding-period

Funders want to invest in projects with long-term value.

One of the biggest evaluation questions funders ask is: What happens after the funding ends? Many CICs struggle to answer this, but a strong sustainability plan increases your chances of future funding.

3 Ways to Show Your Project’s Longevity
​
1. Build Strong Partnerships
  • Funders love to see CICs collaborating with others (e.g., local councils, charities, businesses).
  • Example: “We partnered with a local business to provide in-kind resources, reducing costs and increasing our reach.”

2. Explore Alternative Income Streams
  • Consider membership fees, sponsorships, or small fee-based services to sustain your work.
  • Example: If you run workshops, could you charge a small fee for businesses while keeping them free for vulnerable groups?

3. Empower the Community
  • Are you training volunteers or local groups to carry on the work?
  • Are you creating resources (guides, toolkits, training materials) for long-term use?

Make Your CIC’s Work Sustainable
A well-documented evaluation proves your long-term value to funders. If you need help crafting a sustainability plan that funders will love, we offer expert evaluation services for CICs.
Email us today at insights@researchyourway.com to find out how we can help!

]]><![CDATA[The Biggest Pitfalls in CIC Project Evaluations (And How to Avoid Them!)]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:36:07 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/the-biggest-pitfalls-in-cic-project-evaluations-and-how-to-avoid-them

Poor evaluation can cost your CIC future funding. Are you making these mistakes?

Many CICs struggle with evaluating their projects in a way that satisfies funders like the National Lottery. Avoid these common mistakes to strengthen your funding applications.

Mistake #1: Collecting Data Too Late
Solution: Start tracking impact from Day 1.
  • Decide what data you need early (e.g., surveys, interviews, feedback forms).
  • Track changes over time—don’t wait until the last minute.

Mistake #2: Reporting Activities Instead of Outcomes
Solution: Don’t just count what you did—show the real-world change.
  • Example of an output: “We ran 10 workshops.”
  • Example of an outcome: “80% of participants reported feeling more confident after our workshops.”

Mistake #3: Ignoring Challenges or Failures
Solution: Be honest about what didn’t work and what you learned.
  • Example: “We planned in-person events, but attendance was low. Switching to online sessions increased engagement by 50%.”

Mistake #4: No Plan for Sustainability
Solution: Show how your project will continue after funding ends.
  • Are there plans to secure further funding?
  • Will volunteers or partnerships help sustain the impact?

Need Expert Support?
Avoiding these pitfalls improves your funding chances. If you need help structuring your evaluation, we offer tailored services for CICs.
Email us today at insights@researchyourway.com to find out how we can help!

]]><![CDATA[How to Prove Your CIC’s Impact and Secure More Funding]]>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:42:57 GMThttps://www.researchyourway.com/blog/how-to-prove-your-cics-impact-and-secure-more-funding

Funders want to know: What difference has your project made?

If your CIC has received – or is applying for – National Lottery funding, proving your impact is critical. Funders want to see clear evidence that their investment is making a tangible difference in communities. A strong evaluation can help you secure future funding and showcase your work effectively.
​

3 Ways to Prove Your Impact


​1. Align Outcomes with Your Funding Application
  • Revisit your original project goals—have you met them?
  • Use before-and-after data to demonstrate change.
  • Example: If you aimed to improve mental wellbeing, don’t just say “Our project helped people.” Instead, show:
“80% of participants reported reduced anxiety after attending our support sessions.”

2. Use Stories & Numbers Together
  • Combine quantitative data (surveys, statistics) with qualitative insights (case studies, testimonials).
  • Example:
    • Quantitative: “We delivered 50 workshops, with 300 attendees.”
    • Qualitative: “One participant told us, ‘This course helped me find a new job and regain my confidence.’ 
​
 3. Capture Unexpected Impacts
  • Funders love to hear about unplanned positive outcomes.
  • Did your project inspire another initiative? Strengthen community ties? Lead to unexpected skill-building?
​

Need Help Structuring Your Impact Report?

A clear, compelling evaluation increases your chances of securing future funding. If you’re struggling with reporting, Research Your Way provides expert evaluation support for CICs.
Email us today at insights@researchyourway.com to find out how we can help!
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