You're torn between social impact projects. How do you decide where to allocate funds?

Endeavor to engage directly with some of the beneficiaries of the chosen project. Applications sometimes are shaped to suit the available competencies and expertise in the applicant’s team, rather than the communities’ own voice on real needs…

In evaluating potential impact, also consider the design aspects of projects. 1. Projects does not happen in isolation, also consider what stakeholder engagement has been conducted to influence the design of the program 2. Projects need many other actors to be successful consider what partnerships or support will be required from others like government for example 3. Projects are implemented in specific contexts, research about risks and understanding the assumptions made in the design of a program is therefore also critical.

By only looking at financial health, you maybe ignoring other very important indicators, for example: 1. Does the organization have the requisite skills and competencies to implement the program successfully. 2. Does the organization have the capacity to implement successfully, what does their footprint look like? Other considerations may include: 1. Conducting a cost benefit analysis to determine if the program is the most cost effective solution 2. Engaging with other partners to check their ability to deliver on time and on budget

Financial health is crucial, but we also evaluate the organization's overall capacity to deliver on its promises. This includes assessing their leadership, team, track record, and their ability to manage and report on funds transparently and efficiently. We look for, conduct due diligenece on and recommend organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to good governance and financial sustainability.

Collaboration is key to amplifying impact. We prioritise projects demonstrating strong collaboration potential with other organizations, governments, or communities. We believe that by leveraging collective efforts, we can achieve more than what's possible in isolation. We work with investors who and change makers who are actively seeking partnerships that bring additional resources, expertise, and innovative approaches to the table.

When deciding whether to allocate funds, do a cost-benefit analysis of the social impact projects. That means listing each project's costs and benefits and then deciding where to allocate the funds. Engaging your team in the exercise is a great way to obtain diverse perspectives and foster collaboration.

Benchmarking organizations and projects have become a critical assessment tool for me. By asking who else is working on the solution, by looking at other organization's impact results, by reading impact reports and evaluation reports I obtain insights that helps with better funding decision-making.

I've found that one of the secret sauces is innovation. For this reason, we recommend prioritizing projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to solving social problems. We believe that innovation is essential for tackling complex challenges and driving systemic change.