Our Theory of Change
Global poverty directly affects billions of people worldwide. A responsible approach to this issue requires action today and a commitment for the future.
In our effort to eradicate global poverty, we make progress in two ways: first is through our projects, where we empower communities with long-term solutions. Second is through our students, whom we train for an immediate impact and a lifetime of proactive social change.
Social Return on Investment
When people donate to Nourish International, they expect to see us deliver on this change. The impact we create with these donations is our social return on investment.
At various levels of our operation, we measure this social return differently. Below we explain the components of Nourish and how each generates a return.
National Office
The purpose of the National Office is to scale our movement, provide training and support to chapters and give Nourish students-life changing leadership experiences.
Key measurements of our National Office’s social return on investment include:
- The number of chapters – a thriving chapter network earns more
money to invest in projects and provides more leadership positions for
students.
In 2007-8 we added 19 chapters to our existing 4 chapters through our Chapter Founders Program. - The number of projects – collaborative projects are the vehicles
through which we empower communities to solve the poverty problems that
affect them.
Since inception, we’ve run projects in 14 communities worldwide. - The amount of money invested in projects – more money allows for
more impact, either through running more projects or by enhancing existing
ones.
Nourish has invested $102,500 in projects in its history.
- The number of students we send abroad – perhaps the most influential
experience for Nourish students is the time they spend abroad working with
community members.
In 2007-8, we sent 34 students abroad to work on projects. Since 2003, we’ve sent 86 students abroad.
In 2008-9, we hope to add 30 chapters to our network, invest $200,000 in at least 10 projects worldwide and send at least 60 students abroad. Invest in our impact today!
Chapter Network
Our Chapter Network is composed of the 23 chapters at universities where our students will be working this fall. Chapters are the structure through which our students take on leadership positions running ventures, planning partnerships and implementing projects abroad.
Key measurements for each of our chapters include:
- Attendance at Ventures – ventures are chapter events which earn money, raise awareness and build a membership base at the same time.
- Chapter Membership – higher membership means more students are becoming agents of social change.
- Money raised per student – allows us to compare chapter performance across campuses.
Reports on our Chapter Performance are available on a quarterly basis. To sign up to receive them, go to www.nourishinternational.org/newsletter
Project Impact
Our project impact is the work we do on the ground with our partners to implement sustainable solutions to poverty problems. Performance in this area is the ultimate measure of our impact.
Each project is different and therefore requires different measures of success. Our students work closely with our project partners to define measurements of success.
In order to assure our impact, we’ve set up the following process:
- Before every project our students work with our partners to put together a list of objectives.
- During the project, students track their projects through our project blogs, which provide real-time updates of their progress.
- At the conclusion of each project, students codify their progress and make recommendations for further work, allowing us to do follow-up and measure their impact.
Information on past projects is available at www.nourishinternational.org/projects
Donate Now
Make an impact today through donating to Nourish International!
www.nourishinternational.org/donate
Or, you can write a check to:
Nourish International
109 North Graham Street
Suite 203
Chapel Hill, NC 27516