About
The Centre for Social Impact and its network of specialist associates work across the motu to strengthen the capacity and capability of the community sector and accelerate investment and innovation for social change.
The Centre for Social Impact was set up in 2013 by Foundation North, the community trust for Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau. The Foundation had seen what social innovators and their organisations could achieve if funding was combined with support for the development of key capacities such as governance, leadership, and evaluation. The Centre was created to provide this support for Foundation North and its grantees.
Today the Centre continues to support the development and impact of the Foundation’s philanthropy. We also support other philanthropic trusts, government and community organisations working with communities to deliver better social outcomes for Aotearoa. Our moemoeā (vision), kaupapa (mission) and take whāinga (purpose) align to ensure we turn social investment into inspiring and sustainable social change.
Our team draws on the diverse skills of our network of associates to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our associates bring experience from a variety of backgrounds – philanthropic, government and local government, corporate and business. They share a commitment to effecting positive change in our communities.
Relationships are at the heart of how the Centre for Social Impact supports organisations to achieve their vision. The core values we bring to our relationships are:
- Whakamana – enabling and uplifting
- Whakawhanaunga – relating well and building relationships
- Me mahi i roto te tika, te pono, me te aroha – doing the right thing with respect, love and care
- Kotahitanga – collective action
Our Pou
Our service offering is framed around five pou (pillars):
- Capacity development
- Leadership and culture
- Impact and insights
- Effective funding practice
These provide the framework through which we support the development of strategic investment into impact initiatives, and the quality delivery of those initiatives.
