Success Measures is a participatory evaluation method designed by and for community-based organizations and their stakeholders to document outcomes, measure impact and inform change. This innovative, user-friendly process puts control of key decision-making steps about evaluation in the hands of community-based organizations. It was developed in response to a growing interest on the part of community development practitioners, resource providers, policy makers and intermediary organizations to define and measure the success of local housing, economic development and community-building programs.

Success Measures Data System

In 2004, NeighborWorks America assumed responsibility for the Success Measures Data System (SMDS) and its implementation in the community development field.

NeighborWorks America is very pleased to carry forward this effort within the NeighborWorks network and the wider community development field to measure and document community development outcomes in a manner that enhances community-building and participation. Forty-two NeighborWorks organizations have been sponsored by NeighborWorks America to be trained on the system. Since 2005 over 105 organizations, sponsored by nine funding partners, have enrolled in Success Measures training and are using SMDS to measure and document community development outcomes in a manner that enhances community-building and participation.