Is this the million dollar question? In the world of Return on Investment (ROI) and cost benefit analysis where L’oreal campaigns are banned and you need to PROVE “you’re worth it”, everything we found comfortable, and have coined phrases about, is rewritten. The money is no longer where the mouth is but where the outcomes are and increasingly, organisations are being asked to show not only what outcomes will be achieved but to also explain those outcomes in the context of counterfactual analysis: what would happen without your project? Can you prove the importance of your service?
I am one of the Organisational Development Workers in the Capacity Building team at Macc and I often work with groups developing funding bids where they are asked to show how they will demonstrate the value of their work. Most of this cannot be captured in traditional economic terms. I have recently become a social auditor to support groups who are preparing a set of “social accounts”. Social accounts help prove, improve and account for the difference groups are making by building on their existing monitoring, documentation and reporting systems to develop a process whereby they can account fully for their social, environmental and economic impacts. Social accounting also helps to report on performance and draw up an action plan to improve on that performance. The two links below will tell you more about social accounting and the process.
www.socialauditnetwork.org.uk/getting-started/what-is-social-accounting-and-audit/
www.socialauditnetwork.org.uk/getting-started/what-is-social-accounting-and-audit/breaking-down-the-saa/
“Through social accounting and audit you will understand the impact your organisation has on people, the planet and the way you use resources. It will also help you manage your organisation and improve your effectiveness. Social Accounting and Audit can be used by any organisation, whether voluntary, public or private sector, and of any size or scale.” Social Audit Network
To help you think about whether your organisation could benefit from Social Account & Audit here is a case study on a charitable organisation in Aberdeen with a small staff team and a pool of volunteers.
If you have any questions or would like more information please send me an email: [email protected]