Research and Evidence
Seed Effect’s program has been independently studied since 2018 by Dr. Steve DeLoach, Chair of the Economics Department at Elon University. His research uses rigorous, controlled designs to compare program members with non-participants, providing objective, third-party confirmation that what we do works. These studies are ongoing, adding to a growing body of evidence for a model that is transforming lives in East Africa.
Independent Studies
Research by Dr. Steve DeLoach, Elon University
Two multi-year studies with a third round of analysis underway.
External Impact Assessment
From South Sudan to Uganda, 1,491 people, refugees and host community members alike, opened their doors to Dr. DeLoach’s research team from 2018 to 2020. What they found was hard to ignore: members weren’t just saving money, they were building a future. Across every asset category measured, Seed Effect members outpaced non-participants. Livestock value alone grew 628% compared to the control group. For families who once had almost nothing to their names, that’s a flock of chickens, a goat, a cow — a foundation.
Independent Study Confirms Impact
In Lamwo District, where 60% of participants are refugees, and most have never had access to a bank, Dr. DeLoach’s team followed 363 individuals through a rigorous controlled study from 2022 to 2025. After just one savings cycle, the differences were striking. Members were 41 points more likely to have a safe place to save, 65 points more likely to have access to credit for the first time, and 28 points less likely to report unsteady income. One year. One cycle. Real, measurable change in some of the hardest circumstances on earth.
+628%
Livestock value vs. non-participants
+65 pts
More likely to access credit after one cycle
86%
New businesses still active after 6 months
2,300+
Community members reached through knowledge sharing
Why independent evaluation matters
Our partnership with Dr. DeLoach addresses the self-selection bias that weakens many nonprofit impact studies. His controlled-access-to-treatment designs compare groups that both chose to participate (meaning motivation is held constant), so the measured differences reflect the program itself rather than the characteristics of those who enrolled.
Read more about our approach to listening, monitoring, and evaluation.
Help us take this further.
Every new savings group empowers another family with the tools to build a stable economic future. You can support this work by giving, sharing, or partnering with us. Our hope is to invest in lives, impact families, and empower whole communities to rebuild with dignity.