Social Impact Series - Part 1: Fit for purpose strategy - using evidence to inform practice

Our Social Impact hui provide space for conversations about strategies and practices for funders looking to strengthen social impact. The theme for our first hui, run in Christchurch in association with Rātā Foundation, was ‘Fit for purpose strategy – using evidence to inform practice.’

An inspiring address from Eruera Tarena and Kym Hamilton of Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective highlighted the importance of data as a tool for identifying existing and emerging gaps and inequalities. Eruera and Kym shared some of the data collated by the Collective to build Ngāi Tahu’s agenda for change. The data shows:

• a current income gap for Māori of $2.6 billion per year. This could rise to $4.3 billion per year by 2038 if current levels of inequality persist.
• a skills gap between Māori and non-Māori, driven by disparities in educational achievement, are a root cause of this income gap. This skills gap is likely to widen as 43% of Māori are employed in two of the sectors most affected by projected future job losses.
• for Ngāi Tahu, the annual income gap is larger than the value of their Treaty settlement

The Collective’s data formed the basis of a conversation about the need for shifts in thinking and practice to support systems change. Some of the questions considered were:

• What are we doing now that may be perpetuating the current reality of inequalities?
• How do we think and act beyond a grant-by-grant approach, and operate at a systems level?
• What changes can we make to be more of a catalyst for change?
• How can we use our whole purpose and potential (not just our funding) towards stemming the tides of inequality?
• How can we build relationships across sectors, and develop a shared space to address systemic disadvantage?
• What leadership is required of our organisation to support systems change?
• How can we be effective Treaty partners and support iwi in their leadership?

This publication shares the insights gathered from presenters and participants at the hui about how they can engage with evidence to design strategies, funding approaches and ways of working that are more responsive to communities and have higher potential for impact.