What are the benefits of the projects and activities of ERSTE Foundation?

Who benefits from them? What are the actual effects? Where is ERSTE Foundation particularly effective? Questions of this kind were accompanied by the NPO & SE Competence Center together with a working group of ERSTE Foundation in 2016.

Why does a foundation deal with impacts at all?

The topic of social impact and impact measurement is booming overall. On the one hand, this is due to the organisational development of non-profit organisations (NPOs) and (social) enterprises, on the other hand, the allocation of public funds is increasingly taking place under the required impact orientation in budget management. NPOs, as executing service providers in the provision of (semi-)public goods, must therefore increasingly prove their effectiveness. A foundation, like NPOs in general, also has a specific mission to fulfil. This mission rarely consists of providing a certain number of hours of service with the least possible financial input. Impact-oriented thinking, measuring and, where possible, controlling thus better hits the core of the activities of NPOs in general and of a foundation in particular. In addition, the question of success, i.e. the occurrence of an intentionally desired impact, is also at stake. Which intended goals or impacts have been achieved and to what extent? Organisations that work beyond financial profit maximisation and strive for social added value must legitimise themselves in a more differentiated way.

How can an impact analysis be carried out?

The basic approach in the present project was to establish an impact model that takes into account the different projects and their stakeholders. Accordingly, impact chains were developed for all stakeholders.

What is the procedure for an impact analysis?

The basic approach in this project was to create an impact model that takes into account the different projects and their stakeholders. Accordingly, chains of impact were developed for all stakeholders. A general impact chain is shown in Figure 1.

In conclusion, it is clear that ERSTE Foundation has addressed a broad range of impacts with many different groups in recent years with many projects.

The now completed impact analysis can help to sharpen the focus and set strategic priorities.

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