How does NRFC measure the success of its work?

In part, NRFC’s work is measured in its support for successful regional strategies that serve as models for rural community transformation.  NRFC is developing with its strategic investment partners a participatory evaluation methodology that focuses on the relationship between building capacity and measuring performance. 

These are two sides of the same coin funder invests and the practitioner spends.  From the practitioners’ viewpoint, outcome achievement and measurement are tied to capacity: “What capacity must be built or developed within rural areas or regions to enable them effectively to achieve desired outcomes and take advantage of current and future strategic opportunities?”  From the funders perspective, capacity building must be grounded in achievable, sustainable and measurable outcomes: “What are those achievable outcomes and strategic opportunities critical to economic revitalization, leadership development and improvement in quality of life for which rural communities, leaders and families must be ready and capable of realizing?”  In a word, this new model for evaluation evolving is one of “strategic readiness” of rural regions, communities, leaders and families to achieve desired outcomes and to be more self-determined in choosing and actualizing future opportunities.

In addition to developing this participatory evaluation model for measuring success of regional strategies for rural community transformation, NRFC is also working to develop and build upon existing measures for expanding rural philanthropy and advancing rural policy.