Improving Social Impact Measurement

SECNA has received support from the City of Sydney to test and evaluate social impact measurement tools for social enterprises so that they can articulate their outcomes and impact consistently, efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this is initiative is to offer feedback to tool developers so that they can improve the tools and the uptake of them by social enterprises, so that social enterprises can measure and report on their impact more easily.

Aims of the Initiative

This initiative aims to:

  • Test and evaluate social impact tools

  • Solicit feedback from social enterprises

  • Share knowledge and educational information with members

  • Connect and engage social entrepreneurs with the appropriate resources and supports

  • Collaborate with tool developers to enhance their offerings

  • Increase capacity for social impact measurement across the sector

Our Approach

SECNA will undertake an independent review of impact measurement tools. Where possible, SECNA will test and evaluate the tools to measure its own impact.

SECNA will also seek to engage members, tool developers, and subject matter experts throughout the initiative to understand their needs, objectives, challenges, and recommendations. SECNA will leverage a variety of engagement mechanisms including:

  • Surveys

  • Webinars

  • Small group / peer learning, and

  • Individual (1:1) sessions

Where a member’s needs extend beyond the scope of this initiative, SECNA will seek to connect them with the appropriate resources.

How to Get Involved:

  1. Book a 1:1 “Office Hours” session with SECNA’s Data & Impact lead here. Office Hours are held every Monday!

  2. Join SECNA’s fortnightly Impact Measurement Community of Practice - register here!

    Note: we encourage attendees to connect outside of the sessions but request that tool developers and service providers refrain from doing a ‘hard sell’ of their tools and services in the sessions.

Annette Brodie - Founder, The Reconnect Project

“Excellent session. Really helped give me clarity on what we should and shouldn't measure, options for measurement providers/tools and good insight into whether it's something that we will get ROI from investing in.”

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes - while the grant is provided by the City of Sydney and SECNA will be reporting on engagement with social enterprises that operate in the City of Sydney, all SECNA members can share their feedback and engage with this initiative.

  • There is no cost for participation. It is free for SECNA members. If you are not already a SECNA member you can join here.

  • No. There are plenty of great consultants and advisors in the sector. SECNA's role is to engage and connect the sector, and advocate on behalf of its members. SECNA may seek to engage its members for the purpose of understanding both individual and common challenges, but where additional support is needed, SECNA will seek to connect members with the appropriate resources.

  • Access to resources and subject matter experts, peer learning and to be part of shaping the development of impact measurement tools.

  • For support outside of impact measurement, please check out our Peer Mentoring page.

Funding

The Social Impact Measurement program is proudly funded by
the City of Sydney.