ImpactLab report — the key to getting Govt funding?
Nov 16, 2024
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Maria English, CEO of Impact Lab, Dr. Claire Achmad, Children's Commissioner, and Nicholas Pinter, geologist, discuss vital topics including how data shapes charitable success and the importance of social return on investment. They explore how charities adapt to funding challenges through trust and holistic reporting, and Dr. Achmad emphasizes the need for serious action following state care abuses. Pinter highlights managed retreat in flood-affected communities as a resilient strategy in the face of climate change, showcasing lessons learned from past relocations.
Engaging consultancies like Impact Lab enables social service providers to effectively demonstrate their impact and secure necessary funding.
Diversifying funding sources and prioritizing high-impact initiatives allows charities to navigate financial constraints while supporting community needs.
Adopting a holistic approach to data collection helps charities present a comprehensive narrative, enhancing credibility and attracting more funding opportunities.
Deep dives
Value of Measuring Impact
Social service providers face increasing pressure to demonstrate their effectiveness in securing funding, leading many to engage consultancies like Impact Lab. These organizations help charities connect with data to assess and improve their impact on the communities they serve. By examining historical outcomes of service users, providers can use evidence-based insights to illustrate the long-term benefits of their interventions. This ability to quantify social return on investment is pivotal for charities to communicate their value to funders and ensure sustained support.
Challenges in the Social Sector
Charities often encounter significant barriers in acquiring funding, exacerbated by rising costs and increased needs within communities. For instance, a community in Hamilton struggles to support 60 disengaged youth due to a lack of funding for alternative education programs. To combat diminished resources, many organizations are diversifying funding sources and making strategic prioritization decisions. This approach allows charitable entities to focus on initiatives with the potential for the greatest long-term impact despite financial constraints.
Holistic Understanding of Impact
Impact Lab emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive view of organizational impact, moving beyond mere contract obligations. Charities often face siloed reporting requirements from various funders, making it difficult to capture the full scope of their contributions to community well-being. By utilizing a more integrated approach to data collection, charities can convey a richer narrative about their work and its long-term effects on beneficiaries. This holistic perspective not only enhances their credibility but also facilitates better funding opportunities.
The Importance of Context in Solutions
Addressing community challenges requires tailored responses to unique local contexts, rather than implementing one-size-fits-all solutions. For example, successful managed retreat strategies have emerged in various U.S. communities faced with chronic flooding. These cases underscore the need for a grassroots approach that empowers local stakeholders to drive the conversation around relocation or engineering solutions. Understanding the specific histories, environments, and demographics of affected areas is essential for developing effective and sustainable responses.
Looking Forward for Children's Welfare
The call for better support structures for families is underscored by the current needs of children in state care, who often do not receive adequate protection. The conversation surrounding the Prime Minister's recent apology and the Royal Commission's recommendations highlights that immediate actions are necessary to prevent further harm to vulnerable youth. By investing in initiatives that address underlying issues such as poverty and mental health, society can help shift the trajectory for children at risk. Collective efforts across government and community sectors are required to ensure that all children can thrive in safe and nurturing environments.