The Biggest Pitfalls in CIC Project Evaluations (And How to Avoid Them!)

2/28/2025

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 [email protected] to find out how we can help!

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How to Prove Your CIC’s Impact and Secure More Funding

2/18/2025

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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 [email protected] to find out how we can help!

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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?

How to Prove Your CIC’s Impact and Secure More Funding

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

3 Ways to Prove Your Impact

Need Help Structuring Your Impact Report?

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