In regard to Increased Philanthropic Dollars Will Go to Organization Building, we can only hope so. Most funding (grants) are given to provide a service. Yet they are almost always short term. And they never cover the core costs of running an organisation. The ability for organisation’s to get funding to secure their ability to build capacity is very rare. AS you so eloquently pointed out, this is very short term thinking. I really hope you have got this right!! The sector is crying out for it.

In the UK there is a huge move to measuring outcomes through processes such as Social Return On Investment. We’re just completing a research project on the Economic Impact of the Third Sector (Charities, Community Groups, Social Enterprises etc) on the City of Nottingham, and it is clear that the sector needs to evidence its worth much more clearly than it does already.

The danger of all of this for me is that we end up doing the job of commissioners; especially local government. It is surely up to them to establish the social return of say, getting 20 long term unemployed into work. What social enterprises can do is ADD to that by saying not only will be get you your 20 long term unemployed into work, saving you £thousands, but we will do it by employing LT unemployed people as advisors, provide a creche out of the contract cost etc.

Social Enterprises, and other Third Sector organisations, can provide amazing additionality, that goes way beyond that of the private sector.

I hope that makes sense and is not too full of UK jargon!

Great site. Thanks for sharing your views.

Graham