Key Metrics, Focus Area Metrics, and Goal Metrics

By setting, pursuing, and analyzing progress toward a metric you and your team will develop strategic skills that will help you run a more effective and impactful organization. 

We utilize three different types of metrics on our strategic plans:

• Key Metrics - Somewhat timeless measures that indicate a nonprofit’s overall success. Ideally, you’d have no more than three to five Key Metrics.
  
  Examples:
  • Tons of CO2 reduced
  • Mortality rate reduction
  • % increase in literacy

• Focus Area Metrics - Measures used to indicate progress within “focus areas”, typically in a three-year timeframe. Ideally you’d have no more than three metrics for each focus area.
  
  Examples:
  • $ raised in a capital campaign
  • # of board members
  • Staff member retention rate

• Goal Metrics - Measures used to indicate progress in completing a goal, typically in a one-year or less timeframe. Ideally, you’d have no more than one or two metrics per goal.
  
  Examples:
  • # of grants submitted
  • # of workshops delivered
  • # of Twitter followers