Many mission-driven organizations are starting 2026 with a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. They face rising costs, staffing shortages, uncertainty around government funding, and other unpredictable industry shifts. In times like these, evaluation for nonprofits becomes essential. Recent national surveys found that, while 85% of organizations expected greater demand for their services in 2025, almost all also felt the effects of inflation and expected future funding cuts or delays.
These challenges force purpose-driven organizations to make fast and difficult choices. Uncertainty about whether these pressures are temporary or long-term can make it harder to plan, set priorities, and decide next steps with confidence. In moments like these, clarity is more important than ever. Knowing what to prioritize and how to choose your next steps can make the difference between reacting to change, versus intentionally navigating through challenges.
Upcoming Blogs for 2026
In REC’s 2026 Blog Series, we will explore how organizations can use evaluation to drive effective change, choose the most useful data and performance metrics – such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and develop a data-driven culture to support mission critical activities.
Throughout this 2026 series, we’ll explore how evaluation for nonprofits can guide strategic decisions during uncertain times.
How Evaluation Guides Purpose-Driven Organizations Through Change
- Many organizations currently face rapid change, making it difficult to pause and reflect. This blog will look at how evaluation can help purpose-driven organizations take a step back, see what is working, and identify key areas for improvement.
Measure What Matters: Evaluating Your Metrics When Capacity is Limited
- When time, staff, and funding are stretched thin, it can feel overwhelming and like everything needs to be monitored. This is a cue for organizations to take a closer look at the metrics they track. This blog will focus on identifying the most useful measures, minimizing unnecessary burden, and how concentrating on critical metrics benefits organizational decision-making.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 101 for Mission-Driven Organizations
- KPIs are a tool many organizations encounter frequently, but they are not always clearly explained. This blog will explain the key features of KPIs, the ways they are helpful for mission-driven organizations, and how they differ from other types of data – ultimately helping KPIs feel more accessible and less intimidating.
KPIs 102 for Mission-Driven Organizations
- If understanding KPIs is the first step, using KPIs in practice is the second step. Effective evaluation for nonprofits is not about collecting more data, it’s about collecting the right data. Building on KPIs 101 for Mission-Driven Organizations, this blog will explore how organizations can apply KPIs to assess progress, guide strategy, and adjust focus, especially when resources are limited and priorities need to be carefully weighed.
Embedding Data Culture in Nonprofits and Organizations: Why it Matters When Resources are Limited
- Have you ever tried building a data-driven culture? Data strengthens your work by helping you identify opportunities to streamline processes and save time, energy, and resources. This blog will focus the features of a data-driven culture and how it can support your organization.
Embedding Data Culture in Nonprofits and Organizations: 5 Steps to Create an Effective Data Culture
- Continuing from the last blog, this post will share practical and easy-to-use tips for building a stronger data culture across teams. These tips are meant to be flexible and realistic, since every organization has its own needs, structure, and capacity.
History Colorado Case Study: How Pivoting the Membership Survey Project Saved Resources Without Compromising Quality
- Looking at real client examples can be especially valuable, both for inspiration and for seeing what is possible. This case study highlights how REC worked with History Colorado to adjust their approach to a membership survey in response to capacity constraints. It highlights how a thoughtful pivot saved time and resources while maintaining quality.
If your organization is navigating change, investing in evaluation for nonprofits can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
REC is committed to powering purpose-driven organizations!
Whether you are experiencing change, need evaluation services, or trying to build a data-driven culture, we are here to help. Reach out to REC!
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