• Looking out
• Planning
• Drivers
• News
• Forums
• Events
• About

Expectations of evidence

Funders of all types are increasingly seeking better information to help them select the organisations that they perceive to be capable of making the biggest difference. They expect better evidence of what their money could achieve, or already has achieved. The wealth of easily accessible information online has raised expectations about the quality and the quantity of information that VCOs should provide.

What are the implications?

• Increasing pressure on VCOs to assess and demonstrate the outcomes and outputs of their work.
• An increased amount of information available about the VCS
• Increased trust in charities and better understanding of the work VCOs do by both the public and funders
• Funding and contracting agreements that are more adapted to recognise the distinctive benefits of VCOs
• Performance indicators that are not adapted or appropriate, and fail to capture VCOs’ added value.
• An increasing role for infrastructure organisations in supporting small or inexperienced organisations in monitoring, evaluation, and report writing.

Moving forward

VCOs that are able to demonstrate the lasting benefits and distinctive value of what they do will be more likely to secure funding.

• Does your organisation need to improve how it assess and demonstrates its impact?
• How can assessment of the impact your organisation makes improve your planning?
• Do you understand the true costs of projects to your organisation and are you able to communicate this clearly to funders?

Information about VCOs is increasingly provided online.

• Do you need to invest in resources or training to ensure your organisation is able to provide information in this way to both its stakeholder and funders?

Some organisations may need support in monitoring, evaluation and demonstrating impact. 

• Can your organisation provide a supporting role to others? 
• Are there opportunities for earning money by offering consultancy on these issues?

Want to know more?

Going in the right direction

Published by: IPSOS-MORI – a large research company with a specialism in public affairs

Date: 2006

Format: PDF

What is it? This article looks at how public bodies are using research to help meet citizen’s increasing expectations of public services.

How useful is this? This article looks at several developments in public services including: responsiveness; evidence-based policy making; understanding the public better; and better accountability.  The increasing expectations and uses of evidence are highlighted throughout the article.

Other comments:

Better research for better results

Published by: NCVO

Date: 2007

Format: Web

What is it? This article looks at how VCOs can demonstrate their benefits to funders and donors through a well researched evidence base and includes a case study.

How useful is this? The article outlines the growing pressure for better evidence and highlights how it can be useful for gaining funding and backing up a charity’s other work, such as campaigning.  It discusses how the VCS research base is currently limited and discusses ways of strengthening research such as links with academic institutions and the planned charitable giving research centre.  It suggests that charities should take advantage of funding available for research.

Other comments:

Funding success - NPC’s approach to analysing charities

Published by: New Philanthropy Capital – an organisation providing independent research and tailored advice to donors.

Date: 2005

Format: PDF

What is it? This report describes NPC’s methodology for analysing charities. It also indicates how charities can learn and improve by measuring their own results and how they can use this data as the basis for their fundraising.

How useful is this? This report primarily describes NPC’s methodology for analysing charities, including their Charity Analysis Tool.  However, the appendices particularly appendix three contains useful Resources for outcome measurement/performance management.

Other comments:

Measuring impact – Case studies of impact assessment in small and medium-sized voluntary organisations

Published by: NCVO

Date: 2003

Format: Web

What is it? The report is aimed at those working in and with voluntary organisations who are interested in assessing the impact of their organisation.

How useful is it? The document reviews the findings and lessons from four different approaches to impact assessment, and ends with recommendations for those wishing to engage in similar work. It is exploratory in nature and does not intend to offer a single or complete solution.

Other comments: The companion to this volume, Measuring Impact – a Guide to Resources , identifies some of these approaches and where to obtain further information on them.