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Sharing insights from SVA’s work and across the social sector to prompt learning and discussion about effective practice.

10 roles for impact at scale

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

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10 design principles for impact at scale

SVA identifies 10 design principles as key considerations in defining an impact at scale goal or strategy.

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What does it take to create large scale impact?

Three leaders with experience of creating large scale impact both in Australia, and overseas in the UK share their insights about what it takes to create impact at scale? +Podcast

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Why is strategy valuable: leaders have their say

Leaders in the community legal sector share their perspectives on strategy – why it is valuable, what has worked and their top tips for developing strategy.  

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Frameworks for understanding impact at scale

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.

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Five questions to consider when scaling for impact

Dr Neela Saldanha explains why successful pilots often don’t achieve the same results ‘at scale’ and outlines what to consider when scaling for impact. +Podcast

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Explore articles

10 roles for impact at scale

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

Read More Medium Read

10 design principles for impact at scale

SVA identifies 10 design principles as key considerations in defining an impact at scale goal or strategy.

Read More Short Read

What does it take to create large scale impact?

Three leaders with experience of creating large scale impact both in Australia, and overseas in the UK share their insights about what it takes to create impact at scale? +Podcast

Read More Long Read

Frameworks for understanding impact at scale

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.

Read More Long Read

Five questions to consider when scaling for impact

Dr Neela Saldanha explains why successful pilots often don’t achieve the same results ‘at scale’ and outlines what to consider when scaling for impact. +Podcast

Read More Short Read

Integrated child and family centres overcome fragmented service delivery

Integrated child and family centres are one example of how to overcome a fragmented service system.

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2023 Budget and beyond: will anyone be left behind?

If the 2023 Commonwealth Budget was judged by whether it puts us on a path to ‘solving’ disadvantage, how would it fare?

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Social sector intermediaries: what are they and what do they need?

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

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Are charities beyond the crisis?

Financially, charities fared better than feared during the pandemic thanks to prudent management and financial support. However, many charities risk returning to the vulnerable financial position they were in before the pandemic.

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Housing First: the challenges of moving from pilot to policy

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

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Paying what it takes to create impact

Research from SVA and CSI has found that not-for-profit organisations across Australia are, in general, not funded for the actual cost of what they do. The result is less effective operations and reduced impact. +Audio

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showing trees holding up under a strong wind

Vulnerability and resilience in the social sector: what we learnt through Covid-19

Supporting social purpose organisations through 2020 taught the Paul Ramsay Foundation and SVA key lessons about what leads to vulnerability or resilience in a crisis.

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woman weightlifter holding weight bar above head in crouch

Why economic recovery relies on charities as a strong industry

Charities play a critical role in supporting and strengthening people and communities in Australia, but they also have a crucial role to play in Australia’s economy and its recovery from the impact of Covid-19.

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Whirlwind with education items caught up inside & spinning out

Evidence for Learning’s rapid response to Covid-19

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.

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Train approaching fallen viaduct across chasm

Action needed to avoid loss of crucial charity services and jobs

SVA analysis shows that action is needed to ensure a thriving charities sector which can support Australia through this pandemic crisis as well as the ensuing economic recovery – to build back towards an Australia where all people and communities thrive.

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sail boat amidst big stormy sea

Navigating change in the public and social sectors

Public and social sector leaders discuss navigating transformation and disruption – from a session at IPAA Victoria’s Public Sector Week 2019.

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Person amidst a maze of question marks

‘Bulletproof problem solving’: could it work in the social sector?

SVA CEO, Suzie Riddell talks to Rob McLean, Director Emeritus of McKinsey and Company, about problem solving and how the seven step process from his co-authored book can be applied to complex social issues. +Podcast

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Older women experiencing homelessness OWLs

Improving the outcomes for older women at risk of homelessness

Older single women are the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Why is this? And what are the drivers for better outcomes for these women?

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Illustration of wallet, credit card & coins

Shifting battlegrounds for financial wellbeing

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

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illustration of toy rocket

Goodstart: steering a social enterprise for impact

How does Goodstart, as a social enterprise, balance its commercial and social goals; and what role does influencing the system play in meeting its purpose? +Podcast

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Growing effectiveness – one year on

This month marks a year since SVA launched the SVA Fundamentals for Impact. Over that time we have learnt a lot about how to use and adapt the framework.

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corporate woman taking a leap

Cross-sector partnerships: will corporates step up?

What will motivate corporate Australia to step up to systems change in its cross-sector partnerships? Five questions provide a road map.

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How catalytic advocacy can speed up system change

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

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Movember's moustaches

Movember: changing a system collaboratively

Movember’s story shows what can be achieved if you harness the collective wisdom of diverse stakeholders, galvanise disparate players to collaborate and focus on the goal.

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