AGAPE IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH IMPACT POVERTY-FIGHTING NONPROFIT BY SLINGSHOT MEMPHIS

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November 12, 2019
AGAPE IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH IMPACT POVERTY-FIGHTING NONPROFIT BY SLINGSHOT MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Nov. 11, 2019) – Agape Child & Family Services was recently identified as a high impact poverty-fighting nonprofit in an objective impact assessment conducted by Slingshot Memphis. Slingshot found evidence that Agape improves clients’ earnings and health – critical outcomes necessary for poverty reduction – and uses best practices supported by external research.

Slingshot’s assessment evaluated Agape’s two-generation work, in which the agency holistically serves both parents and children in Hickory Hill, Whitehaven, and Frayser, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Slingshot Memphis, a nonprofit that aims to promote a results-driven poverty-fighting ecosystem, currently partners with 17 organizations in Memphis. Each of Slingshot’s nonprofit partners participated in a 2019 assessment that evaluated the organization’s measurable impact on the communities they serve and the quality of the programming they provide.

Slingshot’s assessment rates nonprofit performance on four dimensions: benefit-cost ratio, use of best practices, measurement capabilities and systems-level change.

Agape earned the rating, “Very Strong,” for its use of best practices, measurement capabilities, and systems-level change dimensions, indicating Agape’s performance in these areas approximates that of a best-in-class nonprofit. Agape’s benefit-cost ratio received the rating, “At Least Strong,” meaning the benefits created for clients exceed the costs to the organization.

The report states that, “Agape rigorously employs best practices that are supported by research.” Of Agape’s ability to create systems-level change, the report finds, “the largest drivers of systems-level change are [Agape’s] Powerlines Community Network that solicits feedback and advice from clients that, in turn, influences program design and advocacy.”

In addition to identifying strengths, Slingshot’s impact assessment of Agape also includes landscape analysis and opportunities for growth. The summary report can be found here.

“We are encouraged by this affirming evaluation of Agape’s impact,” says David Jordan, president and CEO of Agape Child & Family Services. “We are committed to even greater growth and continuous quality improvement to better assist families we are blessed to serve.”

Likewise, Slingshot strives to continually provide qualitative and quantitative analysis that can alleviate the persistent cycle of Poverty in Memphis.

“We are grateful for and humbled by Agape’s bravery and commitment to transparency throughout Slingshot’s impact assessment,” says Justin Miller, founder and CEO of Slingshot Memphis. “Agape’s eagerness to build on its strengths and continue its growth is yet another example of the unsurpassed commitment and dedication of Memphis’ nonprofit community. Slingshot aims to follow their lead and build upon our own bravery.”

About Agape:
Agape Child & Family Services breaks down barriers for families in hard places so they can build the life they desire and deserve. Agape does this in partnership by listening and providing the connections, skills and encouragement families seek in order to thrive. Agape is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing children and families in Memphis with healthy homes. Agape serves thousands of local children and families each year in an effort to keep them safe, smart and successful by providing services in under-resourced communities. Services include early childhood programs; school-based initiatives; workforce readiness; homeless services; counseling; adoption and foster care. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Agape and its community partners have expanded services via a two-generation model, wholly serving youth and parents in a poverty-reduction strategy, providing support, permanency, and sustainability in Frayser, Hickory Hill and Whitehaven. To learn more, call 901.323.3600 or visit www.agapemeanslove.org.

About Slingshot:
Slingshot Memphis aims to create a demonstrable reduction in poverty by promoting a results-driven poverty-fighting ecosystem. To accomplish this mission, Slingshot performs three critical functions.

First, Slingshot helps identify which nonprofit organizations have the evidence or potential to create the most poverty-fighting impact. Some of these organizations, like Agape, become Affiliate Partners of Slingshot.

Second, Slingshot supports its Affiliate Partners as they maximize their poverty-fighting impact. Slingshot uses its Impact Assessment to evaluate Affiliates’ performance on four dimensions: benefit-cost ratio, use of best practices, measurement infrastructure, and systems-level change.

Third, Slingshot invests in its high-impact partners. Slingshot’s funding decisions are based on a partner’s poverty-fighting impact, the needs of the partner organization, the emergence of promising new partner organizations who compete for limited funding, and the overall availability of capital.
Contact:
David Jordan, CEO
david.jordan@AgapeMeansLove.org, (901) 323-3600