Research Reports for Community Benefit
Community Engagement Guide For Social Sector Organizations
May 2020
Successful social change requires nonprofits and government agencies to connect with individuals experiencing a variety of social challenges (i.e., unemployment, addiction, homelessness, justice-involvement, and significant behavioral and physical health challenges). But the desired outcomes can only be achieved if the communities we serve know that our programs exist, believe they are designed for them, and recognize that these programs are tailored to their unique needs. As funding sources become scarcer due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the needs are increasing; organizations need to have reliable systems of community engagement in place to create real and lasting changes in the community.
Over the past decade, Measurement Resources Company has helped mission-driven organizations achieve better outcomes by strengthening their community engagement initiatives. Based on what has worked across a variety of difficult-to-reach populations, we’ve developed several best practices that have become a framework for conducting this important work. By putting these six strategies into practice, your organization will be more effective and the communities you serve will benefit even more as a result.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Women-Owned Businesses
May 2020
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), there were more than 306,000 women-owned businesses generating approximately $29 billion in revenues and contributing $9.5 billion in payroll annually, and creating 330,000 jobs in Ohio. To better understand the needs and impact of COVID-19 for this sector of Ohio’s economy, women business owners (WBOs) were invited to complete a survey sponsored by NAWBO Columbus and conducted by Measurement Resources Company during the first two weeks of May 2020. The purpose of the survey was to understand the impacts and the current needs of women-owned business as a result of COVID-19. The following report highlights the survey findings, which is representative of 78 WBOs.
Equitable Housing in Central Ohio:
Redefining Affordability for All
October 2019
With a projected growth of one million more residents in Central Ohio by 2050, affordable housing is a hot topic. In an effort to ensure an equity and gender lens to the affordable housing issue in Central Ohio, Measurement Resources synthesized its research conducted for several of Central Ohio’s nonprofit organizations to ensure the realities and voices of this region’s residents most impacted by the lack of affordable housing are brought to light. What follows are a few highlights from this study; the full report is available for download.
What is affordable housing?
How Significant is the Affordable Housing Problem?
Which Communities Demonstrate the Greatest Need for More Affordable Housing?
Which Residents are Impacted Most by the Lack of Affordable Housing?
Conclusion

By the Numbers
In Central Ohio:
- Renters are twice as likely to be cost burdened compared to homeowners.
- Households need to earn approximately $35,000 to afford rent; 196,795 of rental households made less than this amount.
- Rates of housing cost burden increase significantly as rates of single mothers living in a ZIP code increase.
- Rates of housing cost burden increase significantly as rates of Black individuals living in a ZIP code increase.