News

19 May 2009

Measuring impact is vital, say conference participants

At a groundbreaking conference held in London, two hundred charity professionals have recognised the importance of rigorous impact measurement of the sector, with 87% of participants agreeing that the challenges of analysis are significant, but not impossible to overcome.

Attendees from over 20 countries cast their votes at the conference, Valuing impact: Building an Association of Nonprofit Analysts. Two thirds agreed that an Association of Nonprofit Analysts would be useful, and a quarter said they would be interested in becoming founding members. However, opinion was divided about the idea of establishing an accredited qualification.

Better measurement, better charities

'An association would improve and help the sector. That means better standards, better frameworks, better decisions and judgements about the performance of nonprofits and their results,' says Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of New Philanthropy Capital.

The day-long conference touched on aspects of philanthropy and charity performance in an increasingly tight funding environment. According to keynote speaker Matthew Bishop, co-author of Philanthrocapitalism, the recession presents 'an opportunity to think differently about capitalism, particularly in its relationship to philanthropy'.

Interest in effective philanthropy has increased recently with US president Obama appointing a new head of social innovation to 'scale up what works in nonprofits', according to Matthew Bishop.

'Passion and activities does not automatically equal impact in non-profit world', says Jamie Cooper Hohn, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. 'Measuring impact is essential,' she added.

New Philanthropy Capital organised the conference, in partnership with the Bertelsmann Foundation, to investigate how charity analysis can transform the sector.

A conference report and podcast will be published on NPC’s website and www.nonprofitanalysts.org shortly. Read Matthew Bishop's blog about the conference here.

< back to news archive index