August 2025

When Maria Rodriguez took over as Executive Director of Community Learning Partners, a youth education nonprofit in Oakland, California, she inherited a well-intentioned organization with a serious problem. No one could clearly explain how their programs actually created change. Board members asked different questions than funders. Staff measured different metrics than leadership wanted. Three years […]

One of the most common mistakes in developing a Theory of Change is confusing outputs, outcomes, and impact. These three elements form an interconnected chain where each builds upon the previous one, creating a logical pathway from what you do to the change you ultimately want to see in the world. Outputs: What You Directly