Research is any kind of information gathering activity that gives you the insight you need to identify solutions to problems. The better the quality of the information you gather, the better your solutions will be.

Non-profit organizations face a range of problems. You need reliable information to solve them: programs do not run efficiently, clients express dissatisfaction with service, or stakeholders and funders question the worth of your program.

Research gives you the objective knowledge you need:

• To Improve Program Effectiveness: If your services are not as effective as they could be, a well-designed study can give you knowledge about the populations you serve, the barriers you face, or the people you are currently failing to reach. This knowledge is the foundation for making your programs better.
• To Prove and Grow Your Impact: If donors or boards doubt the results of your efforts, research provides the credible evidence you need to demonstrate your organizational impact, maintain reputation, and secure future funding.

Research can take many forms, from surveys, to interviews, focus groups, and observation, but all our work involves rigorous, scientific methods designed to truly understand people.

For non-profit leaders, it’s often easiest to think of our services as one of two key categories:

1. “Needs assessments”

Needs assessments are done to help you assess the needs, gaps, and existing assets within a community or target population before you act. The research findings give you the knowledge you need to develop programs and services that are genuinely needed by community members.

2. “Impact assessments”

Impact assessments are done to provide clear, evidence-based proof of your organization’s value and effectiveness. The research findings provide you with reputable evidence of organizational impact that is increasingly demanded by funders, boards, and other key stakeholders.

Quantitative research tells you what is happening in basic terms and how many people are affected. It uses numbers, scales, and statistics. It can offer basic numerical insights into groups, such as how many people need a particular service, use programming, or how much they enjoy it. But it cannot answer how and why questions.

By contrast, qualitative research is a method used to gain in-depth understanding of something. It goes beyond numbers to provide rich, contextual insights. It gives you insights into why something is happening and how it feels to those involved.

Imagine you are trying to find out how the populations you serve experience the programs you offer. Quantitative research (e.g. a survey) would help you know how many people your services reached, or how many people very generally like or dislike the services you offer.

Qualitative research (e.g. interviews or focus groups) tells you the why behind those basic numbers. It tells you why people do and do not use your services, and gives you deep insights about their needs and experiences. Qualitative research requires really listening – both to what people are saying and not saying.

Both quantitative and qualitative research are useful for non-profits, and Fox and Hedgehog Research can offer both. The founder, Abi Ocobock, was a “Survey Specialist” for a large research company earlier in her career, and then transitioned to conducting mostly qualitative research as a sociologist. Now, at Fox and Hedgehog, we tailor our research methods to your questions and needs.

Whereas market research is aimed at helping businesses better understand customers so that they can sell products more effectively, and is focused on gaining insights into what people like or want, social research is focused on understanding people, groups, and communities more deeply. The goal is to really listen to people and understand what they feel, think, and do, in order to produce knowledge that can lead to effective, meaningful social services and changes. Surveys offer basic insights into groups, but we focus on offering in-depth qualitative research through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and focus groups to more detailed insights into the people you aim to serve.

• Enhanced credibility and trust

Funders and boards look for more than just anecdotes and stories; they require objective evidence of impact. While internal reporting is valuable, third-party research eliminates perceived bias. By partnering with us, you provide donors and stakeholders with rigorous, independent validation of your work, making your case for support much more compelling.

• Data-Driven, Informed Strategy

Non-profit leaders often have to move so fast that it’s hard to see the full picture. Our research helps you to gain deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of the people you serve, and identify unmet needs or unexpected challenges that are invisible in the day-to-day running of your services. It helps you to understand what is working and what is not, and more importantly – why. For example, knowing that program participation is low is one thing, but research reveals the underlying reasons so you can make meaningful, lasting changes.

We provide you with actionable insights in plain language so that staff at all levels can understand and engage with the results, and your team feels empowered to make informed decisions.

• Thought Leadership and Influence

Knowledge shouldn’t be a secret. We can help you disseminate research findings to position your organization as an authority in your field and increase your profile and reputation. Research insights can be shared more widely —through blog posts, presentations, or conferences—so your organization gains recognition while others benefit from the knowledge.

• Operational Peace of Mind

Many organizations have data but lack the time or specialized skill sets to manage or analyze it effectively. We act as an extension of your team, handling the heavy lifting of data collection and analysis. Whether you are facing a grant cycle or an annual audit, you’ll have high-quality evidence ready at your fingertips, allowing your staff to focus on their core mission rather than scrambling for spreadsheets.

The duration of a research project can vary significantly, from a few weeks to over a year. The timeline depends on several factors, including the project’s scope and complexity, the type of research method used, and the availability of participants.

While every project is unique, a standard timeline often includes:

• Initial Consultation (2 weeks)
• Research Design and Planning (3-4 weeks)
• Data Collection (1-4 months)
• Data Analysis and Reporting (4-8 weeks)

We understand the constraints of non-profit work. Ultimately, we work with each client to establish a realistic timeline that aligns with their goals and resources.

We understand that handling community data carries a responsibility. We protect participant privacy and confidentiality by using rigorous ethical standards and secure data management.

Informed Consent: We explain to participants how the data will be used, who can access it, and our privacy measures. They can decline to answer questions or withdraw at any time.

Anonymization: We remove all personal identifiers like names and addresses, using pseudonyms in our reports to keep participants’ responses anonymous.

 Secure Data Management: All data is stored in a secure, encrypted system with access limited to the research team.

 Careful Reporting: We avoid “deductive disclosure” – the risk of participants being identified by unique details. We do this by generalizing findings and altering non-essential information in our reports.

Abi Ocobock, the founder of Fox and Hedgehog, will be your primary point of contact. Depending on the scale and focus of the project, other consultants might also be brought in.

In thinking about who will do what, our goal is to balance objectivity with collaboration.

Objectivity (why not do it yourself?)

Even the most dedicated provider filters information through their own expectations or organizational goals. Independent research brings neutrality and credibility. Non-profit staff often lack the specialized knowledge in research methodology, statistical analysis, and ethical data handling. We ensure the research is valid, reliable, and defensible. Presenting research conducted by a PhD-level expert adds a layer of professional credibility to any claims of impact.

Collaboration

We foster open communication and shared decision-making to ensure research is relevant, respectful, and grounded in the organization’s realities. Achieving this involves co-created research plans and regular check-ins. We can also train your staff to increase your own research capacity for the future. We want to help you to become thought leaders, partnering with you to disseminate research findings with others in your field. Our hope is this process builds a partnership that extends well beyond the duration of any particular research project.

We strongly believe that knowledge is power, but we also know it can be daunting. We want to acknowledge any concerns upfront and work with you to ensure you feel comfortable in the process from start to finish.

The Fear of Negative Results. The biggest worry is often: “What if the data shows our program isn’t working?” We view “negative” findings as high-value insights. If the evidence doesn’t match your goals, we support you in using them to pivot your strategy and refine your services. Rest assured we will continue to partner with you until you achieve the evidence of your impact you need.

The Fear of Scrutiny. Research is sometimes viewed as “surveillance” – a way for boards or donors to see if you are doing what you say you are. We help you shift the narrative from accountability to curiosity and learning. Our goal isn’t to police your work; rather it is to provide the knowledge you need to achieve your goals and do your work with confidence.

Fears over Privacy and Ownership. You own your data. While we can help you disseminate findings to establish your organization as a thought leader if you’d like, there is never a requirement to share insights publicly. You decide what stays internal and what goes live.