In the social impact sector, success has long been measured by reach—how many people were trained, served, or supported. But a growing movement is shifting the focus from short-term outputs to long-term outcomes. The question is no longer just “Did it work?”, but instead “Did it last?”
That was the central theme of the inaugural webinar hosted by The Durability Collective, titled “Why Durability Matters”. Moderated by Denver Frederick of The Business of Giving, the conversation featured Ishita Jain (Autodesk Foundation), Spencer MacColl (GitLab Foundation), Matthew MacGregor-Stubbs (UBS Optimus Foundation), and Mona Mourshed (Generation).
Together, they explored how funders and nonprofits can embed Durability into the work of social impact organizations.
What Is Durability—and Why Does It Matter?
Durability, as defined by the panelists, is the measure of whether the positive effects of a program—such as employment, income, and well-being—are sustained over time. Jain emphasized that while breadth and depth metrics are important, they don’t tell the full story. “We need to know not just who we’re reaching, but whether the change we create endures,” she said.
MacColl added that Durability data helps ensure that interventions lead to true economic mobility, not just short-term gains. “We often celebrate too early,” he noted. “Durability is the third leg of the stool—without it, we don’t know if we’re really making a difference.”
The Challenges in Measuring Long-Term Outcomes
Despite its importance, tracking long-term outcomes remains a major challenge. The panel talked about how organizations can overcome a number of the most common barriers:
- Low response rates from participants after program completion.
- Difficulty accessing administrative data, such as employment or tax records.
- Weak data infrastructure, including poor systems for tracking individuals over time.
- Limited funding for long-term measurement.
- Misaligned incentives, where funders ask for long-term data but don’t fund its collection.
They discussed the value of building relationships with the people they serve, since that trust will serve as a foundation for them to provide updates on their lives over time. And that data systems are important, but not a standalone solution. As Mourshed stressed, “The whole organization must live and breathe data.”
The Case for Funders
Durability isn’t just a nonprofit concern—it’s a strategic imperative for funders. Durability data improves social return on investment and guides better funding decisions. MacGregor-Stubbs made the case succinctly: “The more transparency and evidence we have, the more capital we can attract. Durability builds confidence.”
The Durability Collective: A Movement for Change
The Durability Collective is a new community of funders, nonprofits, and other stakeholders who seek to make the measurement of lasting impact the norm. The community launched with a set of inaugural members that includes Autodesk Foundation, Clayton Dubilier & Rice Foundation, Generation, GitLab Foundation, Livelihood Impact Fund, and UBS Optimus Foundation.
There are multiple strands to the Collective’s planned work.
- Durability Academy: A two-year program helping nonprofits design for and measure durability. The first cohort has already begun their journey.
- Research: A research agenda focused on understanding the why, what, and how of Durable impact. This will include, for example, how to accelerate and sustain living wage attainment across diverse populations.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Community and thought leadership that can elevate Durability from a fringe concept to a sector-wide standard.
Getting Started: Practical Steps for Tomorrow
The webinar closed with a lightning round of advice for those ready to act:
- Design with durability in mind from the outset
- Define long-term impact metrics and who will provide the data
- Experiment boldly with survey methods and, if you are a funder, support grantees in doing the same
- Visit the Durability Collective website to learn more
Watch the webinar in full below
