Measuring value

The FRC Group, one of the UK's most established social enterprises that supports disadvantaged groups in Liverpool, has released its first fully integrated social and financial annual report. What's the verdict?

Undercover economist Tim Harford set out on a quest for ice-cold sodden hair and maximum impact. New Philanthropy Capital's Iona Joy unearths the prickly issues in Harford's attempt to get the most bang for his benevolent buck. 

Impact measurement is a tool, and like any other tool it can be used for good or ill. Are we using it to concentrate power in the hands of the few, or to empower the many?

Banks owned by members that put customers before profit have a long heritage in Italy. After 150 years, they're still going against the grain. And they're resilient enough to innovate during a recession – and measure their impact.

Great impact measurement will fine tune your social business and make you truly accountable to the people you work with. See how it’s done.

What does social impact measurement look like today? Isabelle de Grave finds out from Jeremy Nicholls, chief executive of the Social Return on Investment Network (SROI).

When it comes to impact measurement, for now best practice is all about getting the most out of data.

Hang up your cowboy hat – the social impact goldrush will soon be over, hopes SROI sheriff Jeremy Nicholls.

Is the private sector putting social enterprises to shame on social value accounting? Think it’s enough to have a social purpose without checking if you’ve made a difference? Try telling that to anyone who didn’t get a job at the end of your employability project, says Jeremy Nicholls.