Outcomes-based financing (OBF) demands more than just tracking data—it calls for a fundamental shift in how nonprofits use monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) to drive results. This article unpacks the key transformations nonprofits must make: from reactive reporting to real-time learning, from internal tracking to third-party verification, and from siloed MEL teams to organisation-wide integration.
Based on field insights and the Outcomes Readiness Self-Assessment developed for Indian nonprofits, the piece offers practical guidance on building MEL systems that do more than measure—they help nonprofits meet outcome targets and make real impact.