Create your impact report with True Impact to effectively document your program's social impact. Each section plays a crucial role in capturing important data, helping you communicate your achievements clearly and concisely.
Description Section
Navigate to Description
To start creating your report, click the Begin Description button on the report creation page. This will open the Description section where you can give an overview of your program. Focus on describing the program without mentioning date ranges or location details.
Date Range
Choose Duration
In the Dates section, select the duration of your program by completing a series of prompts that will support you in selecting the appropriate time period to cover in your report.
Choose the Right Duration
Selecting the correct duration is key to ensuring your report accurately reflects your program’s activities and outcomes. It helps in aligning the report with your program year and provides clarity for stakeholders.
Decide on Time Period
Select the time period for your report using the Year Type section. Options available are Calendar Year, Academic Year, Fiscal Year, or Custom. Ensure that the selected period aligns with your program's operations.
Location Details
Input Location
In the Location section, use the Search Bar to find and add locations where your program operates. You can be as specific as necessary, from an address to a country level.
Specify Service Percentage
For each added location, specify the percentage of services provided using the Percentage Input textbox. Make sure the total percentage across all added locations sums up to 100%. Use the Save & Continue button to proceed after entering the percentages.
Activity Information
Select Service Delivery Method
In the Activities section, you will select how your program delivers services. The Service Delivery Options include Direct Service, Capacity Development, and Policy and Advocacy. Choose the option that best describes your program's primary approach.
Additional Activity Details
Based on your service type, you will be asked a series of additional questions to share details about your program.
Impact Summary
Choose Cause Category
After completing your Activities section, navigate to the Cause Category section. Use the Cause Category cards to select the most relevant category for your program. This selection helps narrow down the impact models available, aligning them with your program's objectives.
Select Impact Model
Once the cause category is selected, navigate to the Impact Model Templates section to choose an impact model. Scroll through the available templates and hover over each for a brief description. When you find a suitable model, select it and click Save & Continue to proceed.
Specify End Beneficiaries
Next, choose the main end beneficiaries using the Beneficiaries List. Ensure your choice is in line with your program's focus and objectives. Consider who's lives you hope to improve through your programming. For example, while you may directly train teachers, the end beneficiaries are likely the students.
Build your Impact Model
You will continue to build out your Impact Model by deciding which stages to include in your model (learn more about our 5 stage Impact Model approach here) and which indicators to include in those stages.
Define Indicators
Once your model is built, you will tailor each of your selected indicators by providing your own definitions of success.
Impact Details
Quantify and Select Measurement Approach
Now that you've build your model, in the Impact Details section you will quantify your indicators and share how you plan to (or have) measured them.
Beneficiary Information
Next you will share a little bit more about who you serve in the Beneficiaries section. Here, select the demographic categories that best illustrate who your program serves. If it's an intermediary approach and you serve educators or volunteers at the "reach" level of your report, this is who should be captured in your beneficiary demographics.
For each category you include, you must also include percentages. If you do not track beneficiary data, feel free to use Census Data.
Narrative and Lessons Learned (final report only)
Enter Narrative
In the Narrative section, provide a title and description of your program's success story. Use the Title textbox for entering the title and the Description textbox for the detailed narrative. Optionally, you can upload an image to support your narrative using the Image Upload feature.
Share Lessons Learned
In the Lessons Learned section, select categories like Planning, Training, Implementation, and Measurement & Reporting. Provide detailed insights in the textbox. Discuss key findings, challenges, and strategies adopted during the program.
Budget
Direct Costs
Enter the total direct cost of your program: This includes staff, materials, travels, and other operating expenses, but it excludes in-kind donations and overhead costs.
Overhead Costs
Enter the total overhead cost: This includes salaries, rent, utilities and more.
In-kind Donations
Enter the total in-kind: This includes the market value of any goods or services donated to support your organization's overhead, including administration, fundraising, and special events costs.
Ensure your budget captures the full cost of your program as a whole, and not just a grant amount.
Download Report Draft
After submitting, use the View/Download my report draft button to download the report draft. This will allow you to keep a copy for your records.
Submit Report
In the Review & Submit section, verify that all sections of your report are accurate and complete. Once you are satisfied with your review, click on the Submit report for feedback button to finalize your report.