Writing Effective Impact Statements

Communicating the Public Value of K-State Research and Extension

Presented by

Department of Communications

Pat Melgares

Why write for impact?• It makes a difference….

News releases – print, radio, TVOrganizational marketingKansas Legislative ReportPartners/funders/stakeholdersNewsletters, postcards, fact sheets, displays, etc…Progress reportsPromoting your programs

Bottom Line• Impact helps to tell the K-State Research

and Extension story

• Funding and other support often depends on how well we are able to tell others how our work benefits our communities (public value)

Impact is not…• An activity report

• A list of numbers served or involved

• A description of services or processes

Impact…• Explains accomplishments

• Explains payoff to society

• Can be understood by non-scientists

Good impact statements…• Illustrate change or potential change in

such areas as

Economic value/efficiency

Environmental quality

Social well-being

Health and well-being

Simple is Good!• Ask the “So What” question.

Simple is Good!• Ask, “Who Cares…and Why?”

So, Simply…• Provide only enough detail to provide

context (keep ‘em short)

• Highlight the public benefit, public value

Impact Activity

The goal within K-State Research and Extension is to involve a representative cross-section of residents in all planning and outreach activities. There are, however, several specific

programs that target under-served audiences for higher levels of involvement. These programs address needs of economically disadvantaged agricultural producers, youths,

families, and communities and provide knowledge, skills, and practices where needs are great. Specific examples of work with under-served and under-represented groups:-

Extension faculty and staff in counties surrounding Fort Riley are collaborating to develop strategies and marketing materials targeting military families. With an expectation of more

than 30,000 people coming to the area, this is an opportunity to increase the reach of extension programs to nontraditional, underserved, and emerging audiences. It is essential they learn about basic military practices and procedures so that we might better serve and partner with this new audience.- Wyandotte County has seen a recent dramatic increase in

Latino population going from 9% to 17% of the county’s population in just five years. There is a Spanish-speaking population of around 30,000 residents that will benefit from the

educational programs offered by establishing a Latino community outreach program through Wyandotte County Extension. A bilingual Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent hired in 2004 will continue to develop excellent collaborations with human service agencies

and other organizations that are reaching out to this community. - Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP) target low

income and ethnically diverse populations. EFNEP will add one agent position in Wyandotte County as a result of increased funding.

Impact Statement

The goal within K-State Research and Extension is to involve a representative cross-section of residents in all planning and

outreach activities. There are, however, several specific programs that target under-served audiences for higher levels

of involvement.

These programs address needs of economically disadvantaged

• agricultural producers,• youths,

• families, and• communities.

Impact StatementK-State Research and Extension provides knowledge, skills,

and practices where the needs are great.

Some specific examples of work with under-served and under-represented groups include:

• Extension faculty and staff in counties surrounding Fort Riley are collaborating to develop strategies and marketing materials

targeting military families. With an expectation of more than 30,000 people coming to the area, this is an opportunity to increase the reach of extension programs to nontraditional, underserved, and emerging audiences. It is essential they

learn about basic military practices and procedures so that we might better serve and partner with this new audience.

• Wyandotte County has seen a recent dramatic increase in Latino population going from 9% to 17% of the county’s population in just five

years. There is a Spanish-speaking population of around 30,000 residents that will benefit from the educational programs offered by

establishing a Latino community outreach program through Wyandotte County Extension.

A bilingual Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent hired in 2004 will continue to develop excellent collaborations with human

service agencies and other organizations that are reaching out to this community.

• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Family Nutrition Program (FNP) target low income and ethnically diverse

populations. EFNEP will add one agent position in Wyandotte County as a result of increased funding.

Focus on the important stuff• Did this increase knowledge? For who?

• How is the knowledge being used in my community?

• What were the specific behavior or situation changes?

Keys to writing• Know your focus

• Avoid long details – aim to provide understanding (7th grade level)

• Avoid jargon or technical terms

• Use everyday language

Writing Tip• Incorporate a Success Story

A single, quantifiable example of behavior or other change based on something you did

These can be powerful testimonials

Puts a human face on the subject

Complements your facts and figures

Evaluate• Did you give readers the bottom line?

• Have someone else read your impact – do they understand what you’re saying?

Evaluate• Did you report impact in terms of…

Knowledge gained (and how it was used)

Behavior or attitude changes

Changes in practices or situations

Economic, social or environmental change

Summary• Simple is good

• Know your focus

• Report the bottom line

• Communicate positive change

• Write so that your impact can be understood by many

Questions