Designing an Evaluation Framework for Community Wealth Initiatives

Client Context

A youth-focused nonprofit based in Dallas has long been recognized for empowering young people through creative learning and social-emotional development. In response to growing awareness of systemic inequities—particularly those related to over-policing, incarceration, and economic exclusion—the organization launched a bold new initiative aimed at catalyzing generational wealth in historically marginalized communities.

The initiative, titled Generation Liberation, sought to extend the organization’s strengths in youth development to address the deeper structural roots of poverty and instability. With a strong mission in place, the organization needed a way to evaluate and refine this ambitious new direction—one that could capture both individual growth and broader community impact.

The Challenge

The client needed a comprehensive and culturally responsive evaluation framework that could:

• Measure the initiative’s effectiveness using both qualitative and quantitative indicators

• Align with the organization’s long-standing social-emotional learning (SEL) approach

• Incorporate wealth-building outcomes to reflect the initiative’s economic goals

• Be usable and sustainable by staff over time

At the core was a deeper question: How can we assess whether we are truly shifting life trajectories for youth and their families in systems that have historically failed them?

The Symphonic Approach

Symphonic Strategies partnered with the organization to develop a tailored evaluation system that combined rigor, relevance, and equity. Our work unfolded across four coordinated strategies:

1. Evaluation Framework Design

We built a framework grounded in the “7 Cs” SEL model—Competence, Character, Connection, Confidence, Caring, Contribution, and Critical Reflection—while integrating metrics tied to economic mobility and wealth attainment.

2. Indicator and Method Selection

Drawing on literature reviews and best practices, we selected culturally responsive indicators and recommended data collection methods suited for the communities the initiative serves. This ensured that the evaluation would be both accurate and respectful of lived experience.

3. Strategic Coaching and Implementation Support

We delivered ongoing coaching to internal staff, offering practical guidance on data interpretation, feedback loops, and the use of evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement and decision-making.

4. Organizational Alignment 

Our process ensured that the new framework complemented existing evaluation practices and integrated smoothly into the organization’s broader performance strategy—strengthening cohesion across initiatives.

The Impact

The newly developed evaluation system allowed the organization to track the outcomes of its Generation Liberation initiative with greater clarity and confidence.

Integrated Framework

For the first time, the organization had an evaluation approach that captured both emotional growth and financial empowerment—helping them tell a more complete story of change.

Staff Capacity and Ownership

Thanks to coaching and collaboration, staff became skilled in using the framework and applying its insights to day-to-day decisions and long-term planning.

Pilot Results and Program Refinement

Early findings from the pilot testing phase enabled the organization to fine-tune program delivery, strengthen engagement, and refine its strategies for scaling.

Systemic Vision with Measurable Goals

By linking SEL outcomes to community-level wealth indicators, the framework supported a more transformative vision of youth development—one grounded in both equity and opportunity.

Reflections

This engagement illustrates the value of building evaluation tools that honor complexity. Rather than choosing between soft skills and structural change, the organization now has a system that tracks both—offering a roadmap for other nonprofits working at the intersection of equity, education, and economic justice. Symphonic Strategies continues to support organizations looking to measure what matters—especially in communities where impact goes far beyond numbers.

Client Voice

“This framework helped us turn our vision into action—and action into insight. We’re clearer, more connected, and better prepared for what comes next.” — Program Director (anonymous)