UNDERSTANDING IMPACT
Tshikululu’s purpose is to maximise the power of social investment to achieve impact. Everything we do, we do with this purpose in mind. We deliberately follow an integrated impact approach when engaging all of our stakeholders, from social investors to implementing partners, which includes our six enablers of impact, our social investor spectrum, Tshikululu’s Theory of Change, the sectors where we work and our Impact Measurement Guiding Principles.
Enablers of Impact
Impact doesn’t just “happen”. It requires a mix of “ingredients” working together in the right way. At Tshikululu, based on more than two decades of extensive social investment experience, we believe there are six key enablers for achieving deep and sustained impact.
Champion
A leader who brings dynamic energy, overcomes obstacles to progress, inspires others to action, and drives change for the greater good.
Strategy
An appreciation of what problems need addressing, but also for what assets exist. A clear, deliberate vision, and how to bring it about.
Plan
A considered plan for turning strategy into practical action. Asset-based, evidence-based, time-bound and clearly articulated.
Resources
Responsible management of people, property, equipment and finance. Able to mobilise resources to effect the strategy and plan.
Partners
Deliberate efforts to network, to partner and/or to collaborate with others to optimise resource allocation towards maximum impact.
Responsiveness
Agile and curious, driven to continuously improve and remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
Social investors help to drive impact
Along with partner organisations implementing on the ground, Tshikululu works closely with our social investor clients to design and implement high-impact social investment solutions. Of course, different social investors have different requirements, needs and impact goals. With this in mind, our Social Investor Spectrum identifies five different types of social investors, defined across 15 distinct social investor characteristics. While there are no “strict lines” between the different types of social investors, differentiating across key characteristics helps Tshikululu to design the “right” social investment solution for each client as we work together to maximise impact.
Tshikululu’s Theory of Change
Our work with social investors and partners is guided by Tshikululu’s own Theory of Change, which clearly articulates how we hope to drive impact as a business. We track progress against our TOC each year, to understand what we are accomplishing (and where we can improve).
Understanding of impact per sector
In addition to our company TOC, Tshikululu is guided by a high-level TOC for each of the six social investment sectors we work in. These clearly articulate how we believe impact – represented by an impact statement aligned with our own vision – is achieved in each sector. These sector TOCs help us to design the “right” social investment solution for each of our clients, and measure impact once implementation begins.
Our Guiding Impact Measurement Principles
Finally, as we set out to measure outputs, outcomes and impact, all of our work is based on six foundational Impact Measurement principles. These help to ensure that our measurement and reporting is accurate and meaningful.