Outcomes and indicators

We use outcomes and indicators to understand how grants, investments and our own actions are contributing to our strategy.

If we invite you to submit a full proposal for funding, we will ask for up to three key outcomes you think can be achieved by the end of the grant (outcomes), and how you will track your progress towards these outcomes (indicators). We understand that outcomes and indicators may need to be revised over the course of a grant.

Why we ask for outcomes:

We use them ourselves. We have long-term outcomes for each of the priorities in Esmee’s strategy - see a list here.
They help us understand your work. During the assessment process, they are a useful summary of what you want to deliver or change.
We can both use outcomes to report on progress.��

What do we want as “key outcomes”?

Up to three outcomes that you think can be achieved by the end of the funding period. Outcomes should be:

Short: up to 25 words.
Specific to your work: something that your organisation can contribute to, within the grant period, and at a realistic scale for the stage your organisation is at.
Something you can track and report on.

Outcomes should align with one of the long-term outcomes in Esmée’s strategy - it is fine to choose the same one for all three - and you do not need to cover everything you will deliver.

What do we want as “indicators of progress”?

For each outcome we will ask you for one or two indicators you could use to track your progress. An indicator should be:

Relevant – clearly linked to the key outcome.
Realistic - something you are able to track and gather evidence on.

An indicator can be:

Quantitative – counting numbers of things that happen, or percentage change.
Qualitative – assessing people’s perceptions or experiences, or describing change.
Delivery focused - if a piece of work is short-term or project-based.

If the work is new or co-created, we know it can be difficult to define indicators or progress before it begins. If this is the case, tell us in one or two sentences how you plan to track progress.

We find target numbers helpful to understand the scale of your work, or any change you want to achieve. However, your funding will not depend on delivering these, and you are free to amend or change your plans throughout the funding period.

How we use your outcomes and indicators:

They are included in our recommendation for funding decisions – to help staff and Trustees understand what we are funding, and how that work fits with Esmée’s strategy.
We use them to understand progress for individual grants and investments – we reflect on them when reading progress reports and having mid- and end-of-grant learning conversations.
We use them to understand progress at a wider scale. By linking individual grant and investment outcomes to the long-term outcomes in Esmée’s strategy, and recording key learning and tracking progress every year, we hope to understand which areas of our strategy are facing challenges or making headway, and why.

Example outcomes and indicators

Below, we offer some examples of outcomes and indicators to help applicants with their proposal for our support.

Creative, Confident Communities

Key outcome:	Outcome Indicator/s:	Esmee long-term outcome:
Partners are more committed to working in co-production with communities to tackle local issues and shape plans for the region.	Increased participation from partners in shared projects (at least two per year). �� Evidence that partners are building the resources and skills needed to shift how they work with communities long-term.	Communities and their local corporate, cultural, public, voluntary and community sectors, work better together to achieve collective change.
Communities have more financial confidence and control by using democratic finance models and approaches.	An increase from 60 to 100 community organisations p/a exploring and using democratic finance sources and tools. �� Community organisations report an increase in financial resilience and confidence.	Community-led enterprises are a proven and widely adopted model that underpin fairer local economies.
Citizen-led decision-making is embedded in community cultural partnerships across the UK.	Successful implementation of six out of eight citizen-led action plans, four becoming permanently embedded in local cultural infrastructure.	Local and regional cultural strategies are shaped by citizens and impact wider decision making and agendas for change.

Our Natural World

Key outcome:	Outcome Indicator/s:	Esmee long-term outcome:
More land is available for small-scale regenerative fruit and vegetable farming in Scotland.	170 acres are secured by the end of the grant, either publicly owned land, or purchased through a community share scheme.	A fairer food system that improves outcomes for nature and communities.
Policymakers are more aware of the environmental benefits of using organic materials for growing instead of peat and this is reflected in policymaking.	More research is available demonstrating the benefits of using biowaste to enhance soil quality and boost growing. �� Evidence that policymakers have broadened their thinking to fully consider the opportunities available for using bio-waste for environmental benefit.	Peat is no longer a component of horticultural products.
Water quality and biodiversity are improved in the river and wider catchment.	Site management plans secured and funded for pilot trials on the river. �� Reduction in pollutant levels tracked through quarterly water quality testing.	Freshwater-dependent wildlife and habitats have been restored.

A Fairer �鶹��ý

Key outcome:	Outcome Indicator/s:	Esmee long-term outcome:
Inequalities in school exclusions and the education system are better understood, challenged and changed.	Report produced in year one highlighting racial inequalities. �� Recommendations lead to tangible change in Government policy by the end of year three.	Fewer young people, particularly those with SEND and/or experiencing racial inequity, in contact with the youth justice system, and excluded from school.
Migrant and refugee community leaders can effectively represent issues affecting their communities and influence policy.	Number of migrant and refugee community leaders receiving one-to-one mentoring (20 leaders per year, 60 over three years). �� Number of individual learning and organising plans created which respond to the needs identified (1 per leader per year).	Legislation and support ensure that migrants' rights are protected, and reflects their needs.
Learning disabled and autistic artists develop their skills, confidence, and networks in the industry	At least 65 learning disabled and autistic artists are supported through the programme. �� 10 (minimum) learning disabled and autistic artists a year are supported to gain professional experience via their involvement in our projects.	Representative cultural workforce led by a new and diverse generation of cultural leaders.

Want more help with outcomes?

If you have questions about your outcomes or indicators, please get in touch with the learning team on learning@esmeefairbairn.org.uk

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