The Limits of Nonprofit Impact: A Contingency Framework for Measuring Social Performance

Ebrahim, Alnoor; Rangan, V. Kasturi

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1611810

Cited by 147 publications

(183 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Welfare economics and the large range of bespoke social impact measurement approaches developed within the not-for-profit or social entrepreneurship sectors offer a set of models that can be used in different contexts, but no dominant standard has emerged (Mulgan, 2010;Ebrahim and Rangan, 2010). As a consequence, exploring the comparative performance of social innovation remains a challenge.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: Dimensions of Social Innovation

Nicholls¹,

Simon²,

Gabriel³

2015

New Frontiers in Social Innovation Research

100

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction: Dimensions of Social Innovation

Nicholls¹,

Simon²,

Gabriel³

2015

New Frontiers in Social Innovation Research

100

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“…For an INGO that is providing earthquake relief in Haiti, change is relatively easily measured by counting the delivery of emergency supplies and the number of people assisted. As Ebrahim and Rangan ( [94], p. 19) write, even though providing emergency relief in the immediate aftermath of a disaster "is a complex activity, requiring highly sophisticated coordination and supply chain management capabilities," it focuses on meeting survival needs rather than longer-term changes and is therefore possible to quantify the change that such an INGO delivers. Similarly, if an INGO engages in post-emergency community development in Haiti and provides services such as access to education and health care to all children below the age of five, then defining, tracking and reporting on progress to donors, although resource intensive, is doable.…”

Section: Proposition Development: Christian Faith-related Ingos and Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Unpacking Donor Retention: Individual Monetary Giving to U.S.-Based Christian Faith-Related, International Nongovernmental Organizations

Ramanath

2016

Religions

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This article examines an important but relatively overlooked aspect in the field of international giving in the U.S.-individual monetary donations to Christian faith-related international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs)-and outlines the cognitive process influencing donors who choose to keep up their financial support to Christian faith-related INGOs. The propositions forwarded in this article draw on existing literature on Christian giving to international causes, INGO management, donor retention and finally, the logic of self-perception to highlight how existing donors might evaluate their repeat giving decision. The more existing donors of Christian faith-related INGOs can identify themselves with the INGO's identity-comprising its beliefs and values, its claims to legitimacy, and performance-the more likely it is for donors to be satisfied and decide to maintain a stable relationship with the specific INGO.

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“…Most evaluations are concerned with second generation level evaluation (Guba and Lincoln, 1986), that is, measuring performance against program objectives, without consideration of the wider ramifications of the program. The majority of evaluations are limited to measures of outputs and lower order outcomes (Thomson 2010;Ebrahim and Rangan 2010). They focus on specific programs and not the organisation as a whole.…”

Section: Evaluation and Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Impact, a Theoretical Model

Onyx

2014

CCS Journal

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This paper constructs a theoretical model of social impact as it applies to civil society organisations. It does so by drawing on the social ontology defined by practice theory. This approach begins with what is understood within current organisational practices. It then assesses a practice approach against the recent literature on impact and evaluation. This is followed by an exploration of the capitals, notably social, human and cultural capital and their interrelationships, as a theoretical base for the explication of social impact. A formal model of social impact is finally identified together with a set of basic propositions that may collectively be said to define social impact. Finally the implications of the model are discussed for social policy and organisational management. . Defining the scope of the paperWhile much is talked about concerning social impact, and policy papers stress its importance, there is in fact considerable confusion about what it is, and how it relates to wider issues of community cohesion and wellbeing. This paper attempts to structure a theoretical model of social impact, to construct a conceptual frame which may then be useful in determining not only what it is, but how it might then be measured within a community context. This paper focuses specifically on grassroots, community-based nonprofits such as sporting clubs, service organisations, youth organisations, church-based clubs, community arts organisations. The question that needs answering is 'what is the social impact of these organisations on their local community, and on civil society more broadly'? The question goes beyond any particular program or project of the organisation in question, but is concerned with the impact of the whole organisation. The paper takes a radically different starting point from that normally adopted for considering social impact. The initial starting point is a reflection on my observations of a wide set of 1 I acknowledge the contribution to this project of all members of the research team:

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The Limits of Nonprofit Impact: A Contingency Framework for Measuring Social Performance

Cited by 147 publications

References 54 publications

Introduction: Dimensions of Social Innovation

Introduction: Dimensions of Social Innovation

Unpacking Donor Retention: Individual Monetary Giving to U.S.-Based Christian Faith-Related, International Nongovernmental Organizations

Social Impact, a Theoretical Model

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