The latest from Listen4Good
No images? Click here
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021
The Quarterly Word
During our recent recruitment efforts, many organizations we spoke with had questions about how to align their goals for feedback with their existing efforts in measurement. One of the reasons organizations grapple with this alignment is that measurement systems often implicitly prioritize a focus on accountability (as they are donor driven), in which clients are observed and assessed like ‘cogs’ in a predefined theory and where quantitative data is privileged as a proxy for program effectiveness. This tendency can be dehumanizing and diverges significantly from the participatory, client-centered ethos of direct feedback.
Feedback can play an important role in challenging traditional notions of measurement.
I will never forget the time a colleague in the youth development space told me she didn’t believe in self-reported data—quantitative or qualitative. What she thought really needed tracking were indicators like expulsion or suspension data, which she maintained couldn’t be ‘gimmicked’ like self-reported data can be. (Ironically, what many people knew all along and frankly, the white majority in this country is waking up to, is how these supposedly ‘pure’ data systems are constantly ‘juked’ to reinforce and uphold ongoing systemic inequities … but I digress).
Feedback can play an important role in challenging traditional notions of measurement. First, feedback elevates the unvarnished perspectives of the people receiving services, making how they experience an intervention the true metric of quality and effectiveness. It trusts their point of view and in fact, privileges self-reported data at multiple levels— what clients appreciate, whether they believe their needs are being met, and whether they feel better-positioned as a result of participating in a program.
Secondly, unlike traditional measurement systems, feedback fundamentally challenges power dynamics. It asks those with less power (clients) to comment honestly on those with more institutional power (providers). Finally, it acknowledges that most service experiences are carried out human-to-human and examines the impact that the human connection (or lack thereof) has on the clients experience. In this way, feedback provides a fuller, more honest and grounded assessment of ‘what works’ and ‘why.’ At L4G, we believe that direct client feedback is core to achieving desired program outcomes – after all, if services aren’t meeting clients’ needs, they shouldn’t be considered effective.
Hear from Listen4Good Supporters
If you follow us on social media (hint, hint!), you may have seen a new series of videos we released with the Fund for Shared Insight, featuring Listen4Good sponsors speaking about the power of listening and feedback and the impact that Listen4Good has had.
Each video lasts 2 minutes, and features staff from The Boston Foundation, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and others. Check them out on our funder page here.
Staff spotlight: Sachi Takahashi-Rial
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Listen4Good team: Sachi Takahashi-Rial, Associate Director of Partner Services. Based in NYC, Sachi will be supporting Listen4Good in its partner and network services efforts.
Tell us about your career before arriving at Listen4Good.
I started my career in the education space – working for organizations ranging from an education technology startup to a state department of education. But I'm also a bit of a feedback wonk-- I previously worked at YouthTruth Student Survey, a project of the Center for Effective Philanthropy. There, I led partnership development and coached school and district leaders around interpreting student feedback and using it to accelerate improvements.
Why did you decide to join Listen4Good?
In this moment when trust in our social institutions (nonprofits, government, media) is on the decline, it’s important for leaders to get actionable, honest feedback from those receiving services on the ground. Nonprofits, government agencies, and funders can use Listen4Good client feedback to improve services, increase transparency, and build trust in their communities.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
In my free time, I enjoy volunteering in the community, particularly in politics. I co-chair a chapter of a PAC that donates to state-level legislators in California. I also moved from San Francisco to New York in the last year, which means I'm having fun exploring New York City walks, restaurants, and art/music.
Sharing Nonprofit Opportunities
Update your Guidestar by Candid profile today!
Did you know you can boost your visibility with donors by sharing your listening practices?
Filling out the How We Listen section of your Guidestar profile is a quick and easy way to make sure your supporters know how you're investing in listening and responding to the people you serve. Nonprofits that participate in How We Listen also get full points in the Culture & Community Beacon of Charity Navigator's Encompass rating system.
Over 11,000 nonprofits have participated in How We Listen in the last 18 months, and we want to make sure that L4G participants have a chance to celebrate their investments in listening. Prepare for the giving season by sharing your listening practices today!
Apply for the Feedback Champions Fellowship
With the support of Fund for Shared Insight, our friends at Feedback Labs are launching the Feedback Champions Fellowship. This one year program is designed to support diverse mid-level professionals from the nonprofit and foundation spaces who center feedback in their work. Deadline to apply is January 9, 2022.
Listen4Good Growth Capital Campaign: Update
Did you hear the news? The Barr Foundation and the Fidelity Charitable Trustees’ Initiative each recently awarded $250,0000 grants to Listen4Good! We are honored to receive these grants, which will help us continue to scale our feedback and listening work. Check out our full funder list here.
Upcoming Listen4Good Presentations
We are always on the virtual road, ready to share our latest tips and best practices on listening. Here are places you can find us this winter:
Center for Volunteer Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) Lunch & Learn: Advancing Equity Through Constituent Feedback, January 14 at 12 pm PT/3 pm ET
Feedback+Summit: Feedback Evolves. Join us in Jacksonville, Florida from March 2-4, 2022
Would you like to invite us to present to your network? We love to talk about our programs and how they can benefit the work of nonprofits in every sector. To schedule a presentation, please reach out to me.
Next Listen4Good Participation Deadline
We just closed Listen4Good’s January 2022 round and are thrilled to welcome 66 participating organizations to Listen4Good!
If you missed the December deadline, mark your calendars for our upcoming June cohort. It’s never too early to consider registering. Join an upcoming Get to Know Listen4Good webinar to learn more or reach out to Sachi Takahashi-Rial at sachi@listen4good.org to schedule an appointment.
Until Next Year
As this year comes to a close, we would like to thank all of you for your support and partnership as we continue to expand our work with organizations. We wish you a wonderful and restful holiday season after a long 2021 and we look forward to seeing you in 2022.
