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 Professional Help

Research + Advocacy for Practical Changes

SuccessesProof, Evaluation, Replication, Scale

Issue Identification: Where We Get Our Projects

New Proje

ct

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 placeto move forward. We considerall, though.

Engaging Pro Bono Help

Shop proje

ct

Secure commitmen

t

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 (opportunit

y/justice)

Achievability in Short, Medium or Long Term

Recommendations for Action

Circulate Draft Report: Concept Checking

Check with Allies

Vet conclus

ions with

targets

Appleseed staff, board

committee,

interested

Centers

Finalizing Report

Synthesize and

evaluate input

Fill in remaining holes

Acknowledgeme

nts

Proofing and

Final Checks

Design Print or Online release

Advocacy Phase: Overlapped With Research

Began with gap analysis

Continued with intervie

ws

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 makersAddress 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

Engaged and Active Constituents

Know Your Rights; Protect Your RightsCommunity ForumsInstitutionalize

Change Responsibility

Assigned and Accepted

Foster Constructive Dialogue

Complaint Process

Assess Impact

Lessons Learned

Spokespeople

& Stories

Quantify/

Describe

Impact

Replicate Success

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

Centers

Applesee

d

Theory of Change

Appleseed Center

Grassroots Need

Allied NGOs

Appleseed Center

Experts/Professionals

National Appleseed