Economic Development Metrics (EDM)

• » Impacts of community development programs of non-profit organizations like the United Way of America are difficult to measure.


• » Prevailing “outcomes based” measures often lack full quantitative rigor.


• » Community development groups have been slow at adopting the latest information technology advances that can enable better monitoring, benchmarking and impact analysis.


• » Consequently, non-profits depend on often problematic evidence to support the efficacy of their programs.


• » Donors and government sponsors are demanding more transparency and measurable results to maximize the impact of their limited resources.

• » Develop a road map for the collection of relevant data.


• » Use consumer credit records to track efficacy of financial literacy, homeownership, and small business programs.


• » Benchmark the credit records of people enrolled in United Way programs and compare with specifically defined comparison groups and with randomly unselected applicants.


• » Develop and test a series of metrics that will test program-level efficacy, identify appropriate time horizon for evaluation, and assist in targeting segments in need.

EDM Year 1 (2008-2009)

• » Work with United Way locals in select “pilot” cities to evaluate financial stability programs, structure experimental trials, and assess underlying data.


• » Use United Way program data, credit file data, and other data to develop individual financial performance metrics, program performance metrics, and community impact benchmarks.

EDM Year 2 (2009-2010)

• » Develop and deploy proto-type dashboard to monitor effects of charitable programs upon program recipients, families, and communities.
• » Publish and promote report toplining key findings from 18 months of field research with select United Way locals.
• » Encourage widespread use of customized and general performance metrics among community economic development organizations.

Financial Stability Metrics: In conjunction with select United Way Locals, including United Way of Forsyth County, United Way of Central Ohio, and United Way of Miami-Date, PERC is developing a set of metrics designed to assess the impact of programs (e.g. EITC, IDA, financial literacy, credit counseling) that together comprise the United Way Financial Stability Program. PERC will conduct a feasibility study in a limited number of Locals in an effort to develop the prototype Financial Stability Dashboard. If successful, PERC will expand its field research to include a larger number of locals in an effort to bring the application to national scalability. This application has the potential to dramatically increase the efficacy of the United Ways’ financial stability program and reshape the way that all economic development organizations approach financial stability.