The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center
part of the Strengthening Nonprofits Training Series
Measure What Matters
Proving Your Impact Without Overcomplicating It
About This Session: Participants will distinguish between outputs and outcomes, identify key metrics aligned with their goals, and apply straightforward evaluation techniques to better demonstrate organizational impact.
Funders, boards, and stakeholders increasingly want to know not just what your organization does, but what difference it makes. Yet many nonprofits struggle with collecting meaningful data without creating overwhelming reporting requirements.
In this practical session, you’ll learn how to focus on the metrics that truly matter, eliminate unnecessary tracking, and implement simple tools to measure outcomes—even without a dedicated data team. We’ll explore how to turn numbers into compelling stories that demonstrate impact, strengthen funding proposals, and build confidence with supporters. You’ll leave with a realistic, right-sized approach to evaluation that helps you prove your impact without adding complexity to your workload.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- What to measure—and what to stop tracking
- Simple tools for tracking outcomes (without a data team)
- How to turn numbers into powerful stories for funders
- Session Goal: A practical, right-sized evaluation approach
This is a FREE Training
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Access: Log-in instructions will be provided upon Zoom registration.
Presenter
Dr. Michael Pearson
Dr. Michael Pearson is the Director of Programs for The Carying Place. Michael has earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy in Health and Human Services from UNCG & NCAT and holds a master’s degree in social work in Mental Health and Addiction, with a BA in Leadership and Management.
Over 15 years, Michael has invested in addressing the relationship between social problems, family and health, and the intersectionality issues that impact communities. As a seasoned practitioner, Michael is a professional who uses his knowledge and training to foster growth in others.
In his work with at-risk populations, in homelessness, through advocacy and academia, his mission has been to create trust, instill hope, and work toward positive and hopeful change by developing workable solutions.
As a leader and long-standing community non-profit service provider, for Michael, “The Carying Place provides families the chance to break down structural barriers to housing and engage programming that is vital to housing sustainability.” Working with The Carying Place is an opportunity to continue and further, his life’s work to encourage and make a difference in the lives of others.
Breathe. Pause. Speak.
From Nerves to Confidence
About This Session: Participants will strengthen their ability to advocate for their mission by learning and practicing techniques that reduce anxiety, build confidence, and enhance authentic communication in both formal and informal speaking situations.
Nonprofit leaders are constantly called on to speak to advocate for their mission. Yet nervousness, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome can quietly undermine your voice.
In this interactive session, you’ll learn how anxiety shows up in the body and mind and how to interrupt that cycle in real time. Through practical exercises, you’ll practice simple breathing techniques, mindset shifts, and communication strategies to help you stay grounded when it matters most. You’ll leave with tools you can immediately apply in presentations, meetings, and everyday conversations to communicate with greater confidence and authenticity.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize how speaking anxiety and imposter syndrome manifest physically & mentally
- Apply simple breathing and mindfulness techniques to regulate nerves before and during high stakes situations.
- Humanize your message and shift from “performing” to connecting to your audience.
This is a FREE Training
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 10am-11am
Access: Log-in instructions will be provided upon Zoom registration.
Presenter
Alisha Rao
Alisha Rao is the Founder and Confidence Coach of Breathe. Pause. Speak. LLC, a Cary, NC-based coaching practice helping professionals worldwide speak up with confidence and manage nerves in high-stakes situations.
She holds an MBA degree from the University of Georgia and brings over a decade of experience in corporate product management and leadership at IBM, Infosys, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions, where she most recently served as Senior Manager of Product Management.
A dynamic speaker, Alisha has presented at the National Speakers Association (NSA) Carolinas, as well as organizations such as Frontline Housing in Atlanta, Atlanta Tech Village, and multiple corporate All Hands events. She is also a certified yoga and breath work teacher who blends her corporate leadership experience with yoga training in India to help professionals manage anxiety, navigate workplace dynamics, and communicate with authenticity.