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