The Exploring Engagement Fund provides risk capital for arts nonprofits to experiment with innovative ideas about how to engage diverse Californians. In order to understand the variety of Californians engaged in arts experiences, this guide is intended to support current and future Fund grantees in collecting participant information. Exploring Engagement Fund grantees are testing their approaches to engaging participants from communities of color and low-income groups--two populations historically underserved by arts nonprofits and of particular interest to The James Irvine Foundation. The following key steps are identified as essential elements of information-gathering efforts: (1) Identify Learning and Reporting Needs; (2) Determine How to Collect the Information; (3) Create User-Friendly Tools; (4) Collect the Information; and (5) Analyze and Apply the Information. These steps are explained in depth in this guide, and form a framework for planning and implementation.