What is the Academy?
Durability Academy is a multi-year program for nonprofits seeking to advance in their data capabilities to measure long-term change and use it to improve their interventions.
The Academy doesn’t just teach – it acts. By the end of the program, organizations will have taken all the steps to be able to measure and analyze data, will have implemented long-term data collection, and will have a set of insights to improve their programs.
The participating organizations work collaboratively with Generation, a member of The Durability Collective, and other experts to build their capabilities in measuring, analyzing, and acting on durability data. The Academy runs in a cohort model, with each cohort comprising 5-6 nonprofits. New cohorts launch about every six months.
To date, participating nonprofit organizations have had associated costs covered by their funders.
Participating Organizations
Cohort 1
Cohort 2
Feedback
84
net promoter score
8.21
participant satisfaction score
(out of 10)
4.5+
rating across session/workshop usefulness, outputs, content, platform ease of use
(out of 5)
Testimonials
[DA] really helped us build our capacity and understanding of impact measurement at all levels.
Every session is something that I can use in my work.
I am now more confident in executing surveys and navigating the challenges that come.
It opened our eyes that while counterfactual is important… we don’t need to break the bank.
[We’re able] to practically apply the principles… getting specific solutions to things we face.
Durability Academy Program
1: Durability Measurement Strategy
Duration: ~4 monthsLasting impact starts with strategic clarity: you’ll define what durable impact means for your organization across your full range of stakeholders. You’ll refine your impact framework and develop “headlines” that will help you gather the right data to strengthen your work and external narrative.
What you’ll create: A revised logframe that incorporates durable outcomes
2: Foundations of Durability
Duration: ~3 monthsThis module lays the groundwork for data you can use and share with confidence. You’ll strengthen your data quality by setting a long-term strategy for beneficiary relationships. You’ll also move from solely measuring outcomes toward proving comparative impact and ROI.
What you’ll create: A practical plan for collecting and managing high-quality data
3: Implementation Design
Duration: ~5+ monthsYou’ll design a best-in-class survey and prepare all of the other factors that drive data success. You’ll smooth out any friction points in how your data flows from tool to tool, plan a participant experience cycle that maximizes survey response rates, and get ready for launch.
What you’ll create: A durability-inclusive survey and supporting resources
4: Putting Durability Data to Work
Duration: ~6 monthsWith data in hand, you’ll get guidance and support through the process of analysis. You’ll turn findings into actionable program insights. You’ll also begin to share your durability headlines externally.
What you’ll create: Data insights and related visualizations/communications
5: The Practice of Durability
Duration: ~3 monthsIn the final months of the Academy, you and your cohort will reflect on what you’ve learned from a full cycle of data planning, collection, and analysis. You’ll plan how to continue strengthening your capabilities over time.
What you’ll create: A sustainable plan for building durability data into your organization’s DNA
How does the Academy work?
Academy programming runs for two years. During that period, we will work closely together via videoconference and our custom platform to co-create an experience that meets your organization’s needs. This will include:
- Monthly core sessions: Each month, we’ll gather live to learn about an aspect of high- quality durability measurement. Each session feels different: you might dig into the nitty-gritty details of designing a great survey, or discuss measurement frameworks with a guest speaker, or present your own data analysis plan to peers.
- Structured outputs: We’ve broken the path to durability measurement down into achievable, clearly-scoped chunks that you will complete with your organizational team each month.
- 1:1 workshops: You’ll bring your questions about these outputs to 1:1 monthly workshops with experts, where you’ll received context-specific feedback and support.
- Bespoke platform: The Durability Academy site and app keeps participants in close touch with the Generation team and each other and provides easy access to a rich resource bank.
- Annual convening: The Academy hosts an annual in-person convening for all participants to connect with peer organizations and to discuss their experiences and innovations.
Up to five members of your team can participate in the Academy. This group typically includes organizational leaders (e.g., CEO, COO), measurement and evaluation leaders, and program/ fundraising leaders. The time commitment expected from each participant will be about 5 hours per month plus independent work time that will vary.
Participants will have the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their leadership as advocates for effective impact measurement through interviews, case studies, and other channels in which they can share what they are learning in shaping and measuring high-impact program outcomes.n the Academy ends to enable all of us to learn and innovate together.
Why join Durability Academy?
What you get
- Expert guidance, tailored to your needs: Build capabilities in impact measurement, especially around durability, that are relevant to your organization’s context and interventions
- Practice-based coaching: Engage with the vast science and practice of impact measurement boiled down to be highly implementable and cost-effective
- Actionable insights: Learn how to use data insights to enhance your program’s effectiveness
- Stronger funding case: Build credibility with funders by demonstrating a commitment to measure & act on long-term data
- Build your community: Connect with like-minded nonprofits and funders who care about sustainable change
This program is right for your organization if you…
- Prioritize impact beyond short-term goals toward long-term outcomes.
- Are committed to collecting, managing, and analyzing data to improve programs.
- Are developing or strengthening your organization’s data capabilities for better measurement and insights.
- Value continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration in the social sector.
- Are interested in taking on a leadership role in engaging with funders, policymakers, and peers to advocate for durable impact.
Contact us about joining the Durability Academy
Let’s connect today!
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