Social impact means creating real, lasting change that improves people’s lives and the environment. It’s about addressing important challenges in a way that strengthens communities, systems, and relationships over time.
It includes both tangible outcomes—like better health, more jobs, or safer housing—and less visible but equally important shifts: a sense of belonging, strengthened cultural identity, or the confidence to shape one’s future.
At its heart, social impact is about people, place, and possibility—woven together with care.
🌱 How We Create Impact
Meaningful change doesn’t happen by accident. It grows when we:
🧭 Start with purpose
Be clear about the change you’re here to make.
📊 Use evidence
Combine data with lived experience to understand what works and why.
🤝 Work with communities
Collaborate to reflect local priorities and build shared ownership.
🌱 Build for the long term
Design mahi that’s adaptive, sustainable, and rooted in values.
✨ Why Impact Matters
Every organisation has a story about the difference they make. But real impact isn’t just about what we deliver—it’s about how we create change and who benefits from it.
Understanding and showing your impact helps you:
- Make better decisions
- Strengthen what works
- Demonstrate your value
- Inspire trust through real stories
- Stay aligned with your kaupapa
- Attract and secure funding and support to continue to deliver
It’s understandable to want to put all your energy and resources into meeting immediate community needs.
But without space for planning, reflection, and telling the story of your impact, your organisation’s long-term sustainability could be at risk. Impact practice isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. It keeps your mahi focused, your learning alive, and your funding connected to the change you’re making.
Social impact gives meaning to our mahi. It helps us adapt to change, stay grounded in purpose, and deepen the relationships that sustain our work.
It helps us show the difference we’re making—both for individuals and communities—and reminds us to stay accountable to the people we serve.
💬 Asking the Right Questions
Social impact starts with asking:
- What is the problem we’re trying to solve?
- What change are we working to create?
- How will we know if we’re making a difference?
📈 Sharing Your Impact
Sharing your impact means telling the story of what’s changing—clearly, honestly, and with care. It includes:
- The outcomes you’re achieving or contributing to
- Who benefits from your mahi?
- How you’re tracking and learning as you go
It’s not just reporting. It’s connection. It’s accountability. It’s how we honour the people and places we serve.
🛠 Supporting Your Journey
Whether you’re just starting out or refining your impact practice, we’re here to help.
Through tools, templates, and community knowledge, Tūhono Impact supports you to:
- Define your intention
- Track what matters
- Learn as you grow
- Share your story with mana
Together, we can build a future where social impact is visible, values-based, and truly felt.