New guide helps charities, non-profit groups better gauge their impact

It will help them look beyond numbers and provide tools to assess goals and outcomes

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Charities and non-profit organisations here are getting a better yardstick with which to measure their impact, beyond simply looking at how many people have benefited from their programmes.

A guidebook was launched on Aug 15 that aims to provide them with tools to assess the goals and impact of any one of their programmes, as well as the resources required.

The Guide To Impact Measurement — From Intent To Impact For Non-Profits, jointly launched by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and Tote Board, was developed after consultations with 36 charities, seven sector administrators and seven grant makers to ensure the guide is practical.

Non-profit organisations play an important role in improving the lives of others and the community, and the charity sector plays a pivotal role in mitigating social inequalities and supporting those who may not be able to look after themselves, said Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash.

Speaking at the launch of the guidebook at the Glass Dome at Far East Square, he said that the growth in sector-wide efforts to support non-profits in adapting to changing needs and expectations is encouraging, and the new guidebook is timely.