Future of Good’s Post

💡 For foundations and fonds de dotation, especially those just starting out, understanding how to measure social impact is key in assessing the effectiveness and reach of their funding initiatives. ❓ But how?   When we refer to impact, we’re looking at it from several different angles: environmental, economic and social. Social impact can be hard to track, identifying the who, what, where, why and how is of key importance.   👇 This article provides some explanations as to why it’s important for your foundation AND your charity partners, and a checklist of things to keep top of mind. Enjoy the read!   #Impact #SROI #Associations #Foudations #FondsDeDotation #Philanthropy #Grantmaking #Charity #NonProfit https://bit.ly/4ihMnsh

Please always compensate stakeholders/grantees for their time if you invite them to speak to your board or other funders. This quick article provides the rationale and guidance on amounts!

Really appreciate these sentiments from Darren Walker as he prepares to step down from the Ford Foundation next year. Interesting insights into the Ford Foundation's move towards unrestricted funding (80% of its grants) to reduce the inequality in the power dynamic between NGOs and donors. Also some interesting thoughts on reducing inequality by spending down the foundation's assets (he defends it by saying that they are providing valuable long-term security) and lastly, how to pursue issues in research without being overtly political or exerting too much influence over the democratic process.

What sets us apart from the rest? At Community Business Australia, we’re more than just consultants—we’re your strategic partners in driving real impact in the aged care, education, and nonprofit sectors. Since 2009, we’ve helped organisations thrive and create lasting change. Here's what makes us different: 1. Sector-specific expertise: We understand the unique challenges in aged care, education, and nonprofits, offering tailored strategies for success. 2. Collaborative and hands-on: We don’t just advise—we roll up our sleeves and work with you every step of the way. 3. Credibility and trust: Backed by years of experience and long-term industry connections, we deliver measurable results. 4. Strong, long-lasting partnerships: Many of our clients become trusted, long-term partners. 5. Proven strategies: Our data-driven, structured approach ensures sustainable success. 👉 If you’re ready to step ahead visit www.cbanow.com.au #NotForProfitConsulting #CommunityImpact #StrategicConsulting #CommunityBusinessAustralia 

This year's CECP Giving in Numbers report is here! It's one of the industry’s best reports on corporate grants, employee volunteering and giving, and operations. Check out the full report: https://lnkd.in/ga6kJADZ

I was recently struck by how relatable the responses to our recent public consultation were to my own childhood, and deeply saddened by how a couple of decades later these issues are still affecting households. The top priority was 'making the stuff we buy and use last longer' with finance being identified as the dominant motivator for action. I was reminded of my mother; a single parent with two children, one of whom had extensive care needs. I'm 41 years old and this year my mother finally cleared debts she has had for around 35 years. She's never borrowed six figure sums, she's never had the credit rating to try. Instead, mum had a couple of hundred quid here and a 'pay as you view' deal there. Accessible debt with a hefty interest rate, sold on when payments were missed with additional charges applied. A consumptogenic system - one based on infinite economic growth where profits are reinvested into production and excess consumption is normalised - is also riddled with economic disparities and environmental degradation. Transformation of this extractive and unjust system requires top-down governance nationally and globally, but in the absence of firm commitment and creativity, bottom-up movements have increasing leverage. It is because of this reason that our current LESStival campaign is one of the standout proud moments of my career. Addressing the public priority by mobilising shared learning, skills, and innovations, Doncaster is collectively enabling households to get long-term value from their purchases. Breaking the cycle, by closing the loop. You can find out more about the LESStival, and ways to get involved by visiting the YourLife Doncaster website. https://lnkd.in/ehHyqsZC

🚀 New Insights Released: Understanding Australia's Community Sector – the Community Compass Report 2024 🚀 The latest Community Compass report provides a deep dive into how Australians perceive and engage with the community sector. As not-for-profits continue to play a pivotal role in addressing societal challenges, these insights are invaluable for shaping your strategy and amplifying your impact. 💡 Key Insights: • Community Impact: A significant majority of Australians see community organisations as essential to making the world a better place. • Funding Support: There is strong public backing for increased government funding for the community sector, highlighting an opportunity for not-for-profits to push for more resources. • Engagement Barriers: Despite a willingness to get involved, many Australians are held back by time constraints and a lack of awareness about how to engage with the sector. 🎯 Key Takeaways for Not-for-Profits: 1. Understand Your Audience: The report segments the Australian population into groups with varying levels of engagement. Use these insights to tailor your outreach and engage more effectively with different community groups. 2. Advocate for Resources: With public support for increased funding, this is a critical moment for not-for-profits to advocate for the financial resources needed to sustain and expand their work. 3. Make Participation Easy: Addressing the barriers of time and awareness can unlock new levels of community engagement. Simplify pathways to involvement and clearly communicate the impact of volunteer and donor contributions. 4. Highlight Your Impact: Australians are eager to support causes that demonstrate real, positive change. Emphasize the tangible outcomes of your work to inspire ongoing and increased support. 📈 Why It Matters: For not-for-profits, understanding these community dynamics is key to driving greater impact. By aligning your strategies with the insights from the Community Compass report, you can strengthen your organisation's role in building a more connected, supportive, and resilient Australia. At Law Squared, we’re deeply embedded in the not-for-profit space and well-versed in navigating these complex matters. If your organisation needs guidance on leveraging these insights or tackling other legal challenges, reach out to our team today. Explore the full report to discover how you can better engage with your community and drive lasting change here! https://lnkd.in/g8D6jjyV #notforprofit #community #funding #engagement #impact

In a possible breach of LinkedIn etiquette, I'm adding a postscript, as my day continued with a 'Leading in Uncertainty' support session with a group of charity leaders from across the UK. The conversation quickly turned to the daily grind of fundraising and a roll call of worst hits: unclear criteria; opaque processes; short-term funding; an obsession with 'new' over 'core'; and onerous reporting. The gains of Covid are slipping away: "we were trusted...but only for a very short time". I was reminded of a study we carried out through the recession, when our aim was "to help shine light on the practices of trusts and foundations at a time of almost unprecedented upheaval in the lives and circumstances of voluntary organisations" (sound familiar?). It's sobering to read our introduction (extract below), 12 years on. At the time, we were criticised for the title of our report, 'Duty of care'. Having spent 90 minutes listening to the burden being carried by charity leaders, I'm not sure that conceiving of funders' (with their broader and more resourced shoulders) responsibility to applicants and funded organisations as a 'duty of care' is so wide of the mark.... "The current scale and pace of change is overwhelming. Voluntary organisations are experiencing a bewildering set of challenges, characterised by complexity (for example, changes to the organisation and funding of public services) and distress (in particular, increasing levels of poverty and hardship amongst their users and beneficiaries). During our visits across the country, we saw with our own eyes the incredible work that is being carried out in local areas, often against all the odds, to provide real and tangible benefits to local people. We also heard about the huge importance attached to foundation funding and how, when it works, it can provide a lifeline and make a lasting difference. However, for many, the world of foundations is obscure and closed. Speaking truth to power still appears to be the exception to the rule. Many of the problems and concerns highlighted by our study participants can be linked to shortcomings in relationships. Whilst we recognise that effort and skill is required to make them work, the findings presented in this report suggest that improvements are still needed. One of the important conclusions that we reach is that conceiving of the interaction between funders and voluntary organisations as relational – rather than contractual – might help to develop trust, foster openness and create a virtuous circle in which both parties are better able to realise their goals. For this to happen, funders could be guided by a commitment to making grants a positive experience for grant holders, rather than operating in ways which set people up to fail, or that privilege their own demands and systems over the circumstances and capacity of the organisations and individuals they are trying to reach. We have described this commitment as a ‘duty of care’."

This is about connecting strategic thinking, planning, and execution...     Think -> Plan -> Act.    You can't act on anything you haven't planned and you can't plan anything you haven't thought about.     This was a case study we shared recently but is the perfect example of think, plan, act.     "A nonprofit organisation we worked with in Melbourne focused on community engagement. It realised its initiatives were becoming stagnant.     Its attempts to engage the local community weren’t resonating as they once did.     To reinvigorate its approach, it pivoted to a curiosity-driven framework (thinking).    It initiated an ‘Ask the Community’ campaign, a straightforward but potent strategy: what did the community members want to know or learn? From understanding digital platforms to unravelling Indigenous Australian art, the thirst for knowledge was palpable (thinking).     The nonprofit responded by organising workshops, webinars, and community meet-ups to better understand and then devise community-led solutions addressing this thirst (acting).    In a year, not only did its community engagement numbers soar, but it also found volunteers from within the community: individuals who had attended sessions and were now eager to share their knowledge and skills.     It is a cycle within an organisation to 'think, plan, act'.    #strategy #sparkstrategy #casestudy #planning

Small Steps, Big Impact Small businesses and local nonprofits often operate on limited resources, but their impact on communities is anything but small. These organizations are often the backbone of the local economy and play a critical role in driving social change. At the heart of it, we believe that with the right funding and strategic guidance, even the smallest steps can lead to big, meaningful results. We’ve had the privilege of working with small businesses and nonprofits to secure grants and manage compliance, ensuring that they can continue to make a difference in their communities without being bogged down by administrative hurdles. When we think about impact, it’s not just about the big numbers—it’s about the individual lives touched, the families supported, and the communities strengthened. By providing tailored support, we help these organizations maximize their resources, allowing them to focus on what matters most: their mission. Small steps can lead to significant change when combined with dedication, the right guidance, and a strong sense of purpose. What small steps are you taking today that could have a big impact tomorrow? Share your thoughts with us—we’d love to hear your stories of local impact. #SmallBusinessImpact #MissionDriven #LocalEconomy #CommunityFirst