Publication Database

Social Impact Investment: Building the Evidence Base

01-Feb-15

OECD

This publication provides a framework for assessing the social impact investment market and focuses on the need to build the evidence base. It highlights the importance of further international collaborations in developing global standards on definitions, data collection, impact measurement and evaluation of policies. In a fast-evolving new area, experience sharing between players in the market is also vital. International organisations such as the OECD can play an important role in facilitating these collaborations as well as conducting further analysis and data collection.

Civil Society

Having their say: what the public likes and dislikes about charities

23-Jan-15

NPC

In this third paper of the series, NPC examine the polling results in more detail, looking at the public�s attitudes to charities across various dimensions and how this affects levels of trust.�

Civil Society

Creating your theory of change: NPC's practical guide, NPC

19-Nov-14

NPC

This practical guide draws on our work�with clients and partners over several years to help organisations of all shapes and sizes think through the theory of change process from beginning to end. A theory of change is a tool that allows you to describe the need you are trying to address, the changes you want to make (your outcomes), and what you plan to do (your activities). It can�help you improve your strategy, measurement, communication and partnership working.

Civil Society

Investing in youth sector outcomes: why so little, why so late?

14-Nov-14

Gill Millar

Blog from our regional equivalent in the South West of England, Gill Millar explores the sector�s tentative foray into the world of measuring impact.

Civil Society

Payment by Results what it means for UK NGO's

04-Nov-14

Bond

Bond has published a report on what Payment by Results (PbR) means for the UK voluntary sector, setting out the different factors to consider in deciding whether to bid for and engage with PbR contracts. Payment by results has generated a lot of attention in the UK since DFID launched its PbR stategy over the summer. PbR involves a supplier delivering activities and paying some or all of the costs upfront, and the donor only pays the supplier based on the achievement of verified results.

Civil Society

Matter of trust: What the public thinks of charities

28-Oct-14

NPC

A new survey by New Philanthropy Capital � Matter of Trust: What the Public Thinks of Charities and How it Affects Trust � found that 66 per cent of people said they would prefer to donate to charities �run by volunteers�. But less than a fifth (18 per cent) said they would rather give to charities they thought were �run by professionals�.

Civil Society

Social Solutions: Enabling grass-roots charities to tackle poverty,

07-Sep-14

The Centre for Social Justice

Report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ)�For decades politicians on both the Left and the Right have struggled to utilise the best of the charities and social enterprises delivering so much remarkable work in the poorest parts of our country. Some Governments have sought to use these men and women to help people but have failed to trust local leaders and commissioners to do what they do best. This has, at times, meant the relationship between Whitehall and the social sector has become dependent and dictatorial. Other administrations have side-lined charities in favour of clunky but easier to control State programmes leaving many facing an existential threat. Some have chosen to release the �mega-charities� but overlooked the smaller grassroots organisations who have much to give too. During the last ten years the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has sought to find ways for those in power to find a better balance: to make the most of this exceptional group of men and women thereby unlocking their capacity to reverse disadvantage in people�s lives. This report, Social Solutions, sets a new course for the future of the social sector.

Civil Society

VCS engagement with HWBs

01-Sep-14

Regional Voices

Regional Voices has published the full survey report from the survey conducted earlier this year about how the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is engaging with health and wellbeing boards (HWB). Specific questions were asked to VCS representatives on health and wellbeing boards, Healthwatch reps on the boards and to the wider VCS, interested in engaging with the HWB. This has been the second survey about VCS engagement with health and wellbeing boards. Encouragingly, some good practice for how boards involve the VCS, is emerging. However, some issues remain. However, Regional Voices feel that the VCS is being under-utilised by local partners in health and care. Although there is considerable desire in the VCS to work with HWBs, only 20% of respondents felt their organisation was linked with the work of the HWB.

Civil Society

Creating an Age of Giving

01/07/2014

Charities Aid Foundation

The Growing Giving Inquiry was chaired by Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, with Andrew Percy MP and Baroness Tyler of Enfield serving as co-chairs.�Over the course of a year, the Inquiry held three evidence sessions in Parliament featuring contributions from the likes of NUS, Google and BT. In addition, interested organisations were encouraged to submit written evidence to offer their thoughts on the future of giving.�The final report draws on evidence received over the previous year and proposes a number of recommendations targeted at a range of different audiences, including charities, businesses and government. Each is designed to make it easier for people to engage with and support the causes that they care about.�The report also focuses on the UK�s strong giving culture. We have a proud history of charitable giving that has served the test of time, and people in the UK are still extremely keen to give their time and money in support of others. This report and recommendations aims to build on existing enthusiasm and get more people involved with giving.

Civil Society

UK GIVING 2014, An overview of charitable giving in the UK during 2014

01-Apr-15

CAF

UK Giving 2015: an overview of charitable giving in the UK during 2014 is the first report since CAF changed the methodology to include giving from sponsorships, other types of social action and also looks at barriers to giving. CAF says the figures are not directly comparable to the previous year, but that it has "undertaken a recalibration exercise in an attempt to retain a broad historical trend-line". This projection suggests a 4 per cent drop in donations, adjusted for inflation, from £11bn in the previous year to £10.6bn in 2014. CAF says the study captures data four times a year, instead of three times, and the sample size has grown from around 1,500 to just over 5,000. The report is now based on the calendar year rather than the financial year and CAF has recalibrated and adjusted for inflation its historical data to give an overview of trends.

Civil Society