Appleseed Theory of Change Methodology

Goals Opportunity and Justice for All Government Advances the Public Interest Fairly and Efficiently Corporations Treat Consumers Fairly and Efficiently Individuals and Organizations are Empowered to Demand Rights and Genuine Opportunity for All

Appleseed’s Distinct Contributions Strategic Staff Pro Bono Profession al Help Research + Advocacy for Practical Changes Successes Proof, Evaluation, Replication, Scale

Issue Identification: Where We Get Our Projects New Project Center projects Allies suggest need Board/Staff ideas Next Step on Existing Work

Scoping Memo Let’s go! Is there a clear claim to justice? Could Appleseed fill a gap? What else has been done on this topic by other researchers and advocates? Would this project advance Appleseed and build allies? Could we achieve a victory in the short, medium or long term? Is funding available? Are Centers supportive? Does the Board support it? Does it build on our expertise? Can we staff the project? Can pro bono partners contribute? Note: Not all need to be in place to move forward. We consider all, though.

Engaging Pro Bono Help Shop project Secure commitment Engagement memorandum and initial meeting Regular Check-ins, brainstorming

Pro Bono Research Draft Report Legal/Policy Research Expertise Interviews Surveys Convening

Reports Include Recommendations findings Principle (opportunity/ justice) Achievability in Short, Medium or Long Term Recommendations for Action

Circulate Draft Report: Concept Checking Check with Allies Vet conclusions with targets Appleseed staff, board committee, interested Centers

Finalizing Report Synthesize and evaluate input Fill in remaining holes Acknowledgements Proofing and Final Checks Design Print or Online release

Advocacy Phase: Overlapped With Research Began with gap analysis Continued with interviews Vetted conclusions

Advocacy Plans Target: Who Has the Power to Make the Change We Wish to See? Get Report to Decision makers Meet with Decision makers Build Allies Who Can Influence Decision makers Address or Avoid Obstacles to Securing Change Each Recommendation May Need Its Own Plan May Need New Pro Bono Partners

What is Appleseed Advocacy? Letters to corporate or governmental officials Meetings with Decision makers and a Call-to- Action Drafting suggested reform language Amicus briefs & possibility of litigation (some Centers do more) Media: Op-Eds, press quotes, blogging Activating Allies/Building Coalitions Case Studies/Best Practice Replication Comments on Proposed Rules; Testimony Running Pilots

Build Public Support for Changes Opening Doors to Opportunity and Justice Focus on what influences decision makers: would they be more likely to make the change if publicly pressured? Posting: Website, Facebook, Twitter Proactive: Appleseed This Week, Blogs, Op Eds, Engage Allies: Leaders, Other NGOs, Grassroots Voices

Goal = Systemic, Structural Changes Market Based: New Products; Fair Corporate Practices Legislative: New Rights or Funding Administration: Better Enforcement or Implementation of Existing Law Judicial: Rulings That Affect Many Persons

How We Get to Goal Encourage new products and fair practices Testify; Staff Meetings; Appropriations; Letters to agencies Comment on proposed rules; Encourage better Agency Practices Gather Evidence; Refine Legal Claims; Meet with Counsel; Make Demands; File Suit; Amicus Briefs

Engaged and Active Constituents Know Your Rights; Protect Your Rights Community Forums Institutionalize Change Responsibility Assigned and Accepted Foster Constructive Dialogue Complaint Process

Assess Impact Lessons Learned Spokespeople & Stories Quantify/ Describe Impact

Replicate Success Case Study, Personal Stories, Endorsements Peer- Reviewed Articles Speak at Conferences Publicize Successes Secure Funding Engage Centers/Allies

Many Ways to Make Change CentersAppleseed

Theory of Change Appleseed Center Grassroots Need Allied NGOs Appleseed Center Experts/ Professionals National Appleseed