Burgess COMMENTARY
The following information comes from FSG and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. It is a good example of talk about some important issues, but nothing really solid about the impact and effectiveness of the process. I am particularly struck by the reference to Shared Measurement Practices and the very clear indication that there is an 'interest' in data and its use, but very little evidence that there is any actual use of data for decision making, and measuring progress and performance.
Peter Burgess

Open PDF 'Backbone Effectiveness Indicators'

Guide Vision and Strategy

1. • Partners accurately describe the common agenda
2. • Partners publicly discuss / advocate for common agenda goals
3. • Partners’ individual work is increasingly aligned with common agenda
4. • Board members and key leaders increasingly look to backbone organization for initiative support, strategic guidance and leadership

Support Aligned Activities

5. • Partners articulate their role in the initiative
6. • Relevant stakeholders are engaged in the initiative
7. • Partners communicate and coordinate efforts regularly, with, and independently of, backbone
8. • Partners report increasing levels of trust with one another
9. • Partners increase scope / type of collaborative work
10. • Partners improve quality of their work
11. • Partners improve efficiency of their work
12. • Partners feel supported and recognized in their work

    Establish Shared Measurement Practices

13. • Shared data system is in development
14. • Partners understand the value of shared data
15. • Partners have robust / shared data capacity
16. • Partners make decisions based on data
17. • Partners utilize data in a meaningful way

    Build Public Will

18. • Community members are increasingly aware of the issue(s)
19. • Community members express support for the initiative
20. • Community members feel empowered to engage in the issue(s)
21. • Community members increasingly take action

    Advance Policy

22. • Target audience (e.g., influencers and policymakers) is increasingly aware of the initiative
23. • Target audiences advocate for changes to the system aligned with initiative goals
24. • Public policy is increasingly aligned with initiative goals

    Mobilize Funding

25. • Funders are asking nonprofits to align to initiative goals
26. • Funders are redirecting funds to support initiative goals
27. • New resources from public and private sources are being contributed to partners and initiative