Impact reporting: 5 ways to turn principle into practice

A new Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) is expected in this autumn. Here at NPC, we are pleased to see greater prominence being given to impact reporting for charities of all sizes. Our experience tells us that many charities support the principle of impact reporting but struggle with how to translate this into practice.

So, in our response to the SORP Committee’s invitation to comment earlier this year, we recommended some changes to increase clarity and signpost guidance. 

We don’t yet know whether the SORP Committee will adopt our recommendations, but regardless we have lots of readily available resources to support you on your impact reporting journey, built on our experience of working with thousands of organisations over 20+ years. 

1. Get to know the four stages of good impact practice

If you’re just starting out, you should first familiarise yourself with the 4-stage cycle of good impact practice. 

1. Plan: Plan how to create the desired impact. 
2. Do: Measure your performance against key goals. 
3. Assess: Make sense of the data you collect. 
4. Review: Communicate the results and learn how to improve your work. 

We suggest working through the free materials available on our website, which walk you through each stage of the cycle in easily digestible, bite-sized chunks. 

2. Follow step-by-step guidance on putting impact reporting into practice

We recommend using a theory of change – a process and output that helps organisations reflect on aims and plans, discuss them with others, put into writing and decide how to measure and communicate progress.

Our Theory of change in 10 steps is a practical guide that can be used by charities of all sizes, funders and frontline delivery organisations alike.  It’s our most downloaded resource for a reason! 

Building on this, our Understanding Impact guide goes on to explain how to turn your theory of change into a plan for measurement, the five types of data you might need to pay attention to, and how to prioritise what to measure.  This resource ends with helpful signposts to other materials so you can pick and choose those most relevant to your organisation. 

3. Develop your knowledge in specific areas

Once you’re feeling comfortable with the basics, you might like to build on your knowledge, for your own professional development and/or as part of your organisation’s cycle of continuous learning and improvement.  Our Leading Impact seminars provide regular deeper dives into specific areas as well as an opportunity to hear from experts. 

Examples of recent and upcoming sessions include:

• Developing a measurement framework for your charity
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in grant-making
• A strategic approach to centring lived experience
• Survey Design in the charity sector
• How to build convincing evidence with numbers
• Monitoring, evaluating and learning for funders; and more.  Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed. 

4. Engage in cutting edge conversations

NPC Ignites is our annual flagship conference.  A place for you to deepen your impact practice, hear from leading experts, learn about the needs and trends of the impact economy, and what innovations there are to strengthen and grow impact. 

It’s also a brilliant opportunity to network and learn from more than 100 like-minded professionals from across the sector. Everyone is welcome, regardless of role or experience level.  Sign up to secure your place. 

5. Get tailored support

Contact us at NPC to see how we can support with customised and tailored Theory of Change, dashboards, and impact measurement tools that help you measure and articulate the impact that you are having.