The latest from Listen4Good
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OCTOBER 2022
Two Years Into Some
Key Shifts
2020 represented a year of multiple shifts for Listen4Good (L4G), after years of developing a strong proof of concept for our model and work. Our goal, since our launch in 2016, is unchanged: to support organizations in the development of high-quality, client-focused feedback practices. And beginning in 2018, we took a more explicit stance that our focus should be grounded in equity, to help rebalance power dynamics between clients and nonprofits.
"We see that the demand for feedback is stronger than ever."
In 2020, we also introduced a new business model, departing from the original grant-based program mediated by our parent, Fund for Shared Insight (FFSI). In its place, we implemented a fee-based model, allowing organizations to pay L4G directly for services.
Now that we have two years behind us, I wanted to share a few learnings from our journey with you.
First, we see that the demand for feedback is stronger than ever. Organizations are pursuing feedback as part of their effort to center equity, and to share decision-making power with the communities they serve. Organizations also want to embed feedback into their measurement and learning strategies, to learn what is and is not working from the client perspective. And some organizations, after years of trying, have hit a wall with their DIY efforts, and need more structured approaches to surveying their client base.
Despite this demand, we see that nonprofits’ ability to pay for feedback remains low, but may be growing. Almost 80% of our participants rely on funder sponsors to defray the costs of participating in our 18-month program. However, more organizations are starting to pay their own way, especially repeat participants who want to sustain their feedback practices.
Finally, we found that shifting to a fee-based model created (good) new power dynamics between L4G and the organizations we serve. We streamlined registration requirements and now measure progress in less taxing ways, which has allowed us to create new, positive methods of engaging the various stakeholders touched by L4G.
If you’d like to read more about our learnings from the last two years, I invite you to read our newest blog post on Listen4Good Insights, originally posted on Insights for Change. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Upcoming registration deadline: December 1
Gentle reminder: although we see sunny summer days in our rearview mirror, the next deadline to register for the January cohort is on the horizon.
We guide you through an 18-month process to collect feedback from those you serve, using coaching, a proprietary web app, free access to a premium version of SurveyMonkey, and a peer community.
You'll emerge with direct client feedback for decision-making, reporting, advocacy and fundraising, and advancing your equity goals.
If you know you're ready to join our next cohort, we encourage you to complete the registration form today.
Still have questions before taking the leap?
We regularly host free informational sessions for organizations like yours. These open sessions are a great way to ask questions about the scope and depth of our program, and how we are different from other feedback systems.
We can also talk to you about how to get a funder to sponsor your participation in Listen4Good. Choose a date and time that works for you!
A sampling of client quotes
In our last newsletter, we reminded ourselves of the importance of centering client voice, and asked for all of you to contribute your own examples of unforgettable quotes from clients.
We’re pleased to share the results of your submissions. These quotes remind us of the power of amplifying client voices, and how it can facilitate change in ways large and small.
We invite you to check out the quotes here.
ICYMI: New posts on Listen4Good Insights
In a recent blog post, A New Framework that Advances Equity, we unveiled the Listen4Good's Best Practices Guide and detailed our refreshed approach to help organizations build high-quality feedback systems.
We updated this foundational framework to embed equity at every step, within every loop, and we hope that you find it to be an essential tool as you work towards shifting and sharing power in your own organization.
How did the pandemic affect survey administration and behaviors? Would feedback systems survive during an unprecedented global event, and if so, would the data yield useful information? Our Senior Data Analyst, Angela Hall, dug into the data to learn more.
Our August post, The Impact of COVID-19 On Survey Behaviors: What We’ve Learned So Far, is an examination of how organizations and clients responded to feedback surveys during the pandemic.
Meet a new staff member: Lexi Bruner
We are delighted to introduce another new member of the Listen4Good team! Read on to learn more about Lexi. Please give her a warm welcome!
Lexi Bruner: Program Coordinator
SUPERPOWER: Seamless pivoting among multiple projects
What was a highlight of your summer?
- One of the most inspiring moments of this summer was being able to see Rupi Kaur live when she came to Austin as part of her world tour. Being in that space with so many women supporting one another was magical.
What are you reading right now?
- As someone who loves poetry (and writes it herself), I am working my way through all of the works by the amazing poetess Amanda Lovelace. The Princess Saves Herself in This One is one of my favorite books of all time.
What inspires you about working in the feedback space?
- I've worked in various nonprofit jobs in the past and witnessed many types of organizations, missions, and client relationships. Working in the feedback space, it's amazing to see such a wide range of organizations working towards furthering their listening practices and better serving their clients - all things I would have loved to have more knowledge of in my time in those previous roles. I am learning new things every day, and thinking about how I can bring these learnings back to other aspects of my life and my community.
Correction
In our last newsletter, we provided the wrong link to The Nelson Foundation. We apologize for the error.
In closing...
While we took a moment here to look back, we're also looking ahead, thinking about new ways to innovate and grow Listen4Good. I won't tip my hand completely, but here are a few things we have in the works:
We're piloting programs for funders and nonprofits to learn together and examine emerging trends in their feedback data.
We're also exploring the development of mini-cohorts by region or funder, so that organizations can develop peer-to-peer connections and also serve as accountability partners to each other.
And we're excited about launching client advisory groups to guide us next year, each of which will focus on different aspects of our work, such as client experience, tools, and equity.
Our team is already in full planning mode, and I look forward to keeping you updated and engaged as we introduce each new initiative. As always, we remain committed to offer best-in-class resources and programming that allow organizations to build and sustain high-quality, equity-based feedback practices with those they serve.
Wishing all of you a wonderful and productive fall.
Don't forget to register for Listen4Good!
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