Assessing and communicating the impact of research development is increasingly important for research development professionals and research leadership within institutions of higher education. This article sets forth a framework for categorizing research development metrics, explores realistic ways of assessing the impact of research development, makes recommendations for the research development professionals charged with assessing the impact of the research development function, and discusses challenges and mitigation strategies. It is a first step in documenting the research development field’s current practices in assessing the impact of research development. Although this adaptable framework can apply to research development in almost any type of institution, we make special notes for considerations among emerging research institutions (ERIs) and minority serving institutions (MSIs).