Measuring impact is an ongoing challenge that all nonprofits-- including NFF--are always thinking about. With the multitude of factors that tangle the trajectory from service delivery to long-term outcomes, impact is often a complex picture that doesn't immediately unfold in hard numbers. Recently, however, we had the chance follow up on an amazing story of long-term impact with hopeFound, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in the greater Boston area.

hopeFound came to NFF in 2005, in the midst of some serious financial challenges that were posing a threat to the critical services they offer to the community. Using five years of hopeFound's financial data, we performed a complete business analysis to shed light on their financial situation and provide a road map towards improved organizational health. hopeFound used NFF's findings to transform into a sustainable nonprofit achieving more impact than ever before.

Now, a little over 5 years later, hopeFound engaged NFF to perform a second business analysis to clarify their 10-year trajectory of success and help shape a plan for the future. So how did hopeFound achieve this transformation, and what can all nonprofits learn from this story? Check out the case study below to see how hopeFound combined effective data collection, disciplined planning and decision-making, and transparent communication to take control of their organization's future.