Giving Compass' Take:

• The Social Venture Philanthropy Impact Series focused on systems change philanthropy. Funders share important themes from the conference including long-term capacity building,  focusing on language and identity, and how pilot programs using evidence will impact government policies. 

• How can social venture philanthropy be useful for a systems change approach?  How can these themes that emerged help venture philanthropists move forward?

• Read about the people-centered approach within the venture philanthropy field. 

The SVA Venture Philanthropy Impact Series – which took place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth in March – examined what needs to be done to better drive system change for people and communities currently experiencing disadvantage; and what innovative funding models are powering solutions.

The events showcased insights from a diverse group of social purpose leaders, including philanthropists, academics and social enterprise founders and CEOs. Three key themes emerged throughout the series:

  • Focused long-term capacity building is key to achieving positive outcomes- “Outcomes reporting is important, but funders need to recognize that many organizations require resources or capacity to do this well without it detracting from frontline services. Philanthropic funding needs to focus on long-term capacity building so that outcomes management becomes inbuilt in the way an organization operates over time, helping them to increase their impact.
  • Language matters- “There are children who experience vulnerability. There are children who are experiencing marginalization. And there are families that experience those things. But if you give them an identity, that is so much more difficult to transform than an experience.” -Professor Kerry Arabena, Chair of Indigenous Health and Director of the Indigenous Health Equity Unit at The University of Melbourne
  • Pilot programs based on evidence can impact government policies-State and Commonwealth Governments are starting to take notice of the evidence being produced by pilot employment programs aimed at long-term job seekers, according to Melbourne University Professor of Economics Jeff Borland.

Read the full article about social venture funders at Generosity Magazine