As our country has struggled with the immense complexities of the last year, nonprofits across Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey have stepped up to do amazing and critical work. Yet, measuring, understanding and effectively communicating the positive change they’re making remains a challenge.

The RISE (Readiness, Implementation, Sustainability for Effectiveness) Partnership has been working with organizations to ensure that nonprofits have the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to deliver the greatest impact possible.

More than 100 organizations throughout the region have participated in the RISE Partnership and the initiative is currently seeking applicants to take part in the third cohort of its Readiness component. This introductory component builds knowledge and skills of key concepts, tools, and resources for internal evaluation and capacity building. In this four-month engagement, organizations engage in eight hours of group trainings and up to two hours of individualized consultation that lay the groundwork for deeper engagement while also giving organizations tools they can use right now.

Participants in RISE Partnership have reported stronger evaluation capacity that have allowed them to communicate their impact more effectively both internally and to externally, including donors, partners, and the public. One RISE participant said, “[RISE improves] how and what we report. [It] helps prove our point, helps get our point across. Before, we were still able to make the report, but now, it helps us make a stronger report.”

The application period for the Readiness component is open through Friday, February 26. Applicants will be notified in early March and virtual training sessions will begin on Wednesday, March 17. The full training schedule is below:

• Wednesday, March 17: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST
• Wednesday, April 14: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST
• Wednesday, May 12: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST
• Tuesday, June 8: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST

RISE is supported by a collaborative of funders that includes The Barra Foundation, Campbell Soup Company, The Horner Foundation, The Nelson Foundation, Philadelphia Foundation, PropelNext/Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, The Scattergood Foundation, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

To apply for the RISE Readiness component, click here. To learn more about the RISE Partnership, click here.

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If you have questions about the opportunity please contact Samantha Matlin, vice president of Learning and Community Impact at the Scattergood Foundation, at smatlin@scattergoodfoundation.org.