Date Completed

Spring 2026

Abstract

This doctoral capstone highlights a gap between data collection practices and nonprofits, which impacts participation rates of children experiencing poverty. This gap is an issue for nonprofits because stakeholders and donors are more likely to fund organizations that can provide impact data about their services. This capstone addresses that gap through creating and implementing data collection and program evaluation for a grassroots nonprofit that funds enrichment programs for children experiencing poverty in southeastern Massachusetts. Data collected found that the program has a positive effect on the children and families of whom they serve that surpass their main goal of building confidence. Benefits found include, but are not limited to, increased happiness, social participation, school performance, leadership skills, willingness to challenge themselves, and decreased financial stress. These findings can be used to communicate the organization’s impact to potential stakeholders to increase funds, which can increase the number of children the organization can serve.

Document Type

Capstone

First Advisor

Vidya Sundar

College or School

CHHS

Department or Program

Department of Occupational Therapy

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