Charities need to create 'impact networks' to improve services, says NPC 2

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 8 Feb 2011

Charities and funders need to recognise the strengths of working together and foster ‘impact networks,’ to deliver effective outcomes for beneficiaries, according to a new report from New Philanthropy Capital.

The report describes an “impact network” as a range of activities performed by different organisations that leads to a positive outcome. This can include organisations that see themselves as distinct.

It says these networks are vital, especially in a climate of cuts, to delivering effective services and avoiding duplication.

Joe Ludlow, author of the report says: “In a constantly changing funding environment, it is vital that charities and funders recognise the strengths of working together to maximise impact.

“It is crucial that funders understand the idea of impact networks if they are to fund effectively and avoid cuts that may have wider, unintended consequences. Those looking to fund outcomes, not outputs, need to look beyond the boundaries of a single organisation.”

The onus is placed especially on larger charities to invest in and strengthen these networks:

“If larger charities operate unilaterally and do not foster a strong impact network,” the reports says. “We believe they could risk compromising the outcomes they deliver for beneficiaries.

“However, working relationships between larger and smaller organisations can be characterised by suspicion and mistrust, so larger charities need to play a sensitive role in supporting smaller charities to enhance the performance of the overall impact network.”

Directory: New Philanthropy Capital

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Daryl Martin
Trainer
Regis Consultants Ltd
8 Feb 2011

I'm inclined to agree with Anon. What's important is for us all to roll our sleeves and get on with it, informally networking and working together where we can. The last thing we need is another layer of bureaucracy, and meetings talking about how we can work together. If you want tips read my blog which hopefully addresses issues practically.

[Reply]

Anon
8 Feb 2011

Why does Civil Society and Third Sector keep giving oxygen to these time-wasters?

Charities need to work together (sorry this is a so-called think tank, better come up with a new name, how about 'impact network') to have more impact?

We either already are, are working towards it, or know we should but are struggling to make it work.

We don't need the NPC yet again teaching us to suck eggs.

I don't know what's worse - the tedious stream of press releases whose sole objective is to pick up business, or the fact that the sector press is so easily fooled into thinking they are actually contributing to a debate?

[Reply]

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