2024 Sage Foundation
SAGE FOUNDATION GROW OVERVIEW
Sage Foundation Grow (SFG) is an innovative, capacity-building initiative that addresses nonprofit challenges by bridging skill gaps and fostering collaborations between Sage leaders and nonprofit trailblazers. Through SFG, nonprofit leaders from Canada and the USA work directly with Sage employees, gaining learning opportunities and skills-based volunteering to tackle their primary challenges, from leadership development to strategic planning and digital transformation.
This year’s program featured two cohorts, creating a strong foundation for collaboration and growth. The only missing piece for the program’s long-term sustainability was a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan; that’s where V2I came in—to gather, analyze, and provide insights into the unique value of SFG for participants and to identify areas for further program enhancement.
PROJECT CONTEXT
In the realm of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, the Sage Foundation Grow (SFG) program stands out for its focus on fostering collaboration and driving sustainable impact. SFG connects nonprofit leaders with skilled Sage employees, enabling knowledge-sharing and mentorship that strengthen nonprofits’ capacity to achieve meaningful, long-term outcomes. By building partnerships that go beyond traditional giving, the program helps nonprofits develop the skills and resources needed to scale their efforts effectively.
To better understand the program’s impact and identify areas for improvement, Sage sought to deepen its insights into how SFG supports participants. Building on years of collaboration with Sage on volunteer alliance programs, we partnered to create a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan. This plan was designed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, understand participant experiences, measure outcomes, and highlight opportunities for enhancement. The goal was to provide actionable insights that help refine SFG’s approach and ensure it continues to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to the nonprofit sector.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we use Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) practices to understand and improve the impact of the Sage Foundation Grow (SFG) program?
THE INNOVATION
Sage collaborated with us at V2I to gain a deeper understanding of the value participants experienced through the program and to develop data-driven strategies for improving future cohorts. To achieve this, we implemented a detailed Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) process, which included post-program surveys tailored to key performance indicators and evaluation goals. These surveys engaged six nonprofit leaders and seven Sage leaders who participated in SFG, focusing on three main areas: participant motivations, the program’s impact on their work, and opportunities for improvement.
The surveys were designed to provide nuanced insights into participant experiences, capturing motivations, the program’s influence, and suggestions for enhancement. The findings informed a comprehensive report outlining the program’s achievements, areas for growth, and practical recommendations.
Deliverables included the final report, cleaned and raw data sets for further analysis, and testimonials for promotional use. This work established a foundation for future program improvements, ensuring SFG continues to deliver measurable, impactful results for both nonprofit leaders and Sage employees.
The Impact
Nonprofit Leaders
- Nonprofit leaders reported that the estimated value of support they received ranged from $10,000 to $25,000
- 100% of nonprofit leaders reported that they attained at least part of their goals
- 67% of nonprofit leaders reported that they fully attained their goals, expressing that they were able to work on their initiatives, exceeded expectations, or gained tools and strategies to actively implement within their organizations.
- 50% of nonprofit leaders reported gaining unique benefits from the SFG sessions including dedicated time for strategic planning, mentoring, and networking
- 33% of nonprofit leaders reported that the program triggered organizational restructuring
- 83.3% of nonprofit leaders reported that they are open to future collaborations with Sage
- 83.3% of nonprofit leaders reported that they believe Sage to be a trusted corporate partner
SAGE Leaders
- 57% of Sage Leader participants reported growth in leadership, communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence as a result of the SFG program
- 71% of Sage Leader participants reported that they felt proud to work for an employer that supports nonprofits
- 57% of Sage Leaders reported that they gained new perspectives they could bring back to their teams
- 29% of Sage Leaders reported experiencing substantial growth in public speaking and presentation skills as a result of the SFG program
Partner & Participant
Testimonials
Nonprofit Leaders
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