When considering whether a Social Impact Bond (SIB) is an appropriate mechanism to fund a social program, it is useful to understand how SIBs have been structured around the world. Since the very first SIB emerged in the UK in 2010, the concept has been trialled in more than half a dozen countries, and has […]

Field-building intermediaries play an important role in social sector ecosystems but what do they do and what kind of funding do they need? +Audio

Closing the gap in Indigenous employment will require sustainable opportunities that provide meaningful careers, says Adrian Appo. Only then will the numbers follow.

SVA Consulting supported the Centre for Muslim Wellbeing to develop a compelling business case to support ongoing fundraising.

Over 10 years, every dollar invested in early intervention saves $2, by ensuring children and young people are able to stay safely at home.

As we begin the second year of our partnership with Marnin Studio and reflect on the first year’s progress, one of the areas that has been slower to progress than anticipated has been the development of the Studio’s outcomes measurement framework, systems and practices.

For the past five years, Tim Best, an Aspire Program Case Navigator at Adelaide’s Hutt Street Centre, has been helping people experiencing homelessness. Best joined the Aspire Program when the Aspire SIB launched last year, and says it’s the first opportunity he’s had to take a long-term approach with people who have a history of […]

Bob Bryan reflects on the rewards associated with taking a structured approach to gifting through the establishment of his Private Ancillary Fund (PAF).

Indigenous employment is unacceptably high.

Case studies of success in transitioning long-term unemployed Indigenous Australians into sustainable employment.

The variety of potential roles needed to work towards impact at scale reflects the collaboration of actors with differing capabilities and focus.

The Growing Great Teachers (GGT) project showcases excellent initiatives which successfully support early career teachers in low socioeconomic (SES) Australian schools.

SVA has launched the Growing Great Teachers project, 11 case studies that are developing exceptional early career teachers in low SES schools.

Four organisations in the disability sector share how and why they responded to sector changes by launching an innovation strategy. + Podcast

Despite a sustained economic boom, long-term unemployment is a stubborn, persistent and growing problem in Australia.

SVA has recently released a series of case studies, Growing Great Teachers, that identify what it takes to help a new teacher thrive in challenging schools.

Case studies show social purpose organisations are reaping the benefits of improved process efficiencies. Find out how. + Podcast

What are the obstacles to mergers and integration in the non-profit sector and how can we nurture tighter collaboration?

The work of field-building intermediaries is complex and can be difficult to define. Yet, they play an important role in addressing some of the greatest social challenges. Often sitting behind the scenes, these agile organisations engage and coordinate the efforts of multiple organisations towards a common goal. They can bring about systemic change in a […]

SVA has leaned on existing First Nations led and developed guides to improve our service delivery, designing a set of First Nations Practice Principles striving to create positive impact for First Nations organisations and communities.

A how-to guide for non-profit organisations exploring whether a merger is right for them and, if so, how to go about it. +Podcast

With a growing body of evidence backing the highly supportive Housing First approach, including the recent evaluation of the Aspire SIB, why has it not been funded and adopted more extensively across Australia? +Audio

Researchers in social network theory and educational leadership provide an analysis of how SVA’s The Connection is using networks to improve education outcomes within communities experiencing disadvantage.

It’s a new year and another 16,000 graduates join the ranks of Australian teachers. Whether by choice or by posting, most of these graduates will begin their teaching careers in a low SES school.

A growing number of Australian companies pursuing shared value strategies, or strategies with similar principles, are seeing both social and economic benefits as well as positive brand associations, according to findings from the 2015 ‘State of Shared Value in Australia’.

A Koori-designed program in the Children’s Court of Victoria is providing a more effective and just response for Koori families. +Podcast

A challenging case for refocusing measurement and evaluation around simple measures that drive improvement rather than time-consuming academic studies that provide ‘proof’.

The SVA Fundamentals for Impact enable organisations to assess whether they are being effective and how they can do better. Why and how was the framework developed? +Audio

Get on top of your social impact measurement and evaluation projects with this accessible guide to existing SVA Quarterly articles.

The WA Social Enterprise Fund is supporting social enterprise across the state.

A step-by-step guide for managers and supervisors who are on the frontline of hiring and retaining Indigenous staff.

Supply chain mapping, leveraging data and enhancing the collaboration in food relief systems are ways that local government or other key players can support everyone in the community to access the food they need.

During the Covid-19 crisis’ impact on the Australian education system, Evidence for Learning (E4L) has been providing evidence-based advice to teachers to help deliver effective home supported learning.

Resources to help make great ideas leap from local solution to wide-spread impact

Australia’s premier accredited training course unpacking Social Value and SROI.

How data sovereignty can empower First Australian communities to define success on their own terms, and in doing so, improve outcomes for people.

Using scenario planning is a valuable way to understand the potential impacts on demand when many uncertainties are at play – as demonstrated in the Victorian child and family services sector during Covid-19. +Audio

How organisations can use proven initiatives as catalysts for change in government policies and service systems.

How SecondBite, a rapidly expanding non-profit, sowed the seeds for a secure future.

How do you spread effective practice? SVA proposes a framework for educational and school leaders to spread what works through the education system.

An immersive learning experience helping employers reshape talent practice to harness young potential by providing careers, not just jobs.

Lara is a Consultant at Social Ventures Australia.

The right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination has significant implications for evaluating policies and programs that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. +Audio

Hanna is a Principal, Consulting with SVA and has over eight years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining SVA, Hanna held diverse roles advising, delivering and evaluating programs in human services, education and urban planning in Australia and overseas.

SVA considers access to affordable and stable housing one of the keys to overcoming disadvantage in Australia.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Thought Leadership Gathering, which will be held from Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21 November 2019 at Novotel Melbourne on Collins. Celebrating Accomplishments to Build Future Actions  For the 25th Thought Leadership Gathering, please join us for a dynamic and rich sharing of insights and learning […]

SVA Consulting has helped set the agenda for social impact measurement and evaluation in Australia.

When I first started at SVA nearly a year ago, I was particularly impressed by SVA’s dedication to building the evidence base in the social sector, so that policy and practice can be built on what works.

Some emerging trends with the potential to ‘move the dial’ on the increasing numbers of Australians experiencing severe financial vulnerability and stress​. +Audio

Once again SVA staff offer a plethora of treats for your holiday reflections and inspiration.

Established after the 2020 National Early Years Summit, the Early Years Catalyst (EYC) – a collaboration of 12 organisations including SVA – is driven by a powerful ambition to positively impact early childhood development outcomes in Australia. As a field catalyst, the EYC aims to amplify the efforts of individuals and organisations to address complex […]

The SVA Quarterly shares insights and experience from the non profit sector.

Continuing in our series of articles on impact at scale, we look at six frameworks or models for understanding how to create impact at scale.

Education academics from the University of Western Sydney (UWS) have developed a student engagement pedagogy for teachers in low SES schools.

A case study about tailoring the universally-offered careers curriculum to meet the needs of individuals.

How to get real about the questions not-for-profit board members need to ask when a merger or acquisition comes up.

After seven years ‘in the trenches’ working on social impact bonds (SIBs), Elyse Sainty shares her insights around SIB myths and legends. +Audio

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) recently completed a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) that considers various scenarios associated with investment, or lack of investment, in very remote Aboriginal communities. SVA was commissioned to undertake the work by the Martu organisation, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ), and seven other partner organisations working with Martu people in the East Pilbara. What was […]

SVA Consulting completed this case study to examine an equity-funded expansion of a social enterprise.

The smorgasbord of treats has been picked by SVA staff and board members to provide inspiring, insightful, and affirming reads, listens and viewing for your summer break.

Our report reviews the state of the charity sector one year after the onset of Covid-19 and makes the case for greater government supports.

Four of the key players behind Australia’s first dedicated non-profit consultancy for the social sector tell the story of setting up and shepherding SVA Consulting through its initial years. +Podcast

SVA supported St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney to develop a business case to support a new Brain Health Institute, based on a sustainable funding model.

Jack Coghlan

Meagan says she believes there are endless opportunities when you start looking, whatever your circumstances – and I’d suggest she is living proof this is indeed the case.

Michael Traill explores innovative ways to build an efficient capital market for social purpose – one smart and sustainable enough to solve today’s entrenched social problems.

Exploring what is required of non-Indigenous executives who hold positions of power in First Nations organisations.

To establish and maintain a successful school, the Principal, Glenn Proctor, and the leadership team were clear about its most important resource – quality teaching staff.

To get Australia’s children learning as well as any in the world, we need rigorous evidence of what works and why – accessible to every teacher, principal and policy-maker.

Education experts from Australia and overseas came together on October 3 to discuss how Australia’s education system can better prepare young people for work and life. The SVA Education Dialogue 2017: Learning that Matters, presented by SVA, addressed the education challenge presented by the future world of work.

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) congratulates Melodie Potts Rosevear, founder and CEO of SVA venture partner Teach for Australia (TFA), who has been recognised in The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards.

Marcela is an Analyst, Consulting at Social Ventures Australia.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Thought Leadership Gathering, which will be held from Monday 9 – Tuesday 10 September, 2019 in Sydney. Register here.  Stem Flipped – Do What You Can’t In this Thought Leadership Gathering we will build upon Samsung’s provocation to all of us to ‘do what you can’t’, by […]

The SVA social impact fund provides loans, equity and grants to social enterprise.