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Impact measurement
Funders are in the driving seat when it comes to developing a culture of impact measurement – but are they heading in the right direction?
At a time when many charities are facing falling incomes and rising demands, it has never been more important for them to be able to understand and assess their achievements. Funders have a huge influence …
‘Mirror, mirror on the wall’ – an honest reflection of impact investing
I was chatting to a friend of mine in the gym the other day, taking a well-deserved water-cooler moment. He was complaining about spending so much time and money going to the gym, and that …
Social impact analysis in Spain – the key to change?
As we all know, Spain is in the midst of some pretty tough times. Looking at employment issues alone, in January 2013 the European Commission recorded unemployment at 26.6%, with youth unemployment at 55.5%. With …
Measurement? There are many ways to define impact
As with many such events, at the most recent Social Investor Breakfast Club, held in London on 21 March, the discussion on ‘Impact Investing in Africa’ led to an acknowledgement that the term impact can …
Let’s be realistic about measuring impact
‘Measure impact’ has become a mantra for creating social change. Claims about making a difference are no longer sufficient; evidence of how much difference you’re making is now required. We should applaud this trend, because …
Impact measurement – what charities and donors need to do
When we interview people wanting to give skills to charities, they often mention a particular cause that has touched their lives in some way: the entrepreneur whose sister died of cancer, the chief executive who …
Why funders should focus on ‘impact practice’ and not just results
The ideas of impact and evaluation are as old as grantmaking itself. But, like anything, being aware of something doesn’t necessarily mean we pay enough attention to it in our working lives. So, for funders …
My annual letter: accelerating impact through measurement
Today I’ll be sending out my annual letter. It’s the fifth one I’ve written and I look forward to sharing what we’ve learned in our work at the foundation and how that learning will be …
Elephants, glorified accountants, gardeners? What is a social impact analyst?
The analogies and metaphors were flying around the room as a group of 85 social impact analysts gathered for the second SIAA conference in Berlin last month. The group included academics, philanthropy advisers, consultants, researchers …
First steps in venture philanthropy at the EVPA conference
As part of its transition from traditional philanthropy to higher–impact venture philanthropy and to benefit from the idea of sharing ideas and best practice, Emirates Foundation recently became a member of the European Venture Philanthropy …
