New consulting service for the not-for-profit sector launches in Australia

29 April 2008

Social Ventures Australia (SVA), Australia’s leading not-for-profit venture philanthropy organisation, today officially launched a new strategic consulting practice for the not-for-profit sector.

Designed to help both not-for-profits and their funders clarify direction, measure performance and improve capacity, SVA Consulting - a partnership between Macquarie Group Foundation and SVA - is the first of its kind in Australia.

SVA Consulting Executive Director, Duncan Peppercorn is confident the demand exists for a consulting service dedicated to helping not-for-profits achieve their next stage of growth and long-term sustainability. Equally, the new venture is expected to be well received by investors - including foundations, philanthropists and governments – seeking analysis and evaluation to help guide their philanthropic activities.

“The not-for-profit sector in Australia, until now, has been under-serviced by the kind of quality consulting resources and knowledge that Corporate Australia is able to access,” he said. “SVA Consulting will provide Australian not-for-profit organisations and philanthropists with the resources and support they need to achieve their full potential in the community.”

According to Duncan Peppercorn, the support of Macquarie Group Foundation has been fundamental in helping SVA work with the not-for-profit sector to develop strategic and capacity building tools.

“The Foundation's support – via funding and strategic engagement – has enabled us to establish a new venture within SVA that is sure to have a significant impact. As a strategic, long-term partner, Macquarie’s support commenced in 2002 with the development and launch of an SVA Toolset – a business-management initiative that has helped many not-for-profits build organisational strength. SVA Consulting will extend the reach of this valuable capacity building work."

The SVA Consulting model, while developed in and for the Australian market, has strong links to specialist not-for-profit in the U.S., Bridgespan – incubated at Bain & Company, Inc. eight years ago.

In Australia for the launch, Bridgespan Partner, Jon Huggett, believes there is a strong local opportunity for applying leading-edge management strategies, tools and talent to help not-for-profits achieve greater social impact.

"Bridgespan believes that there is great value in bridging ideas between the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors - strategy is a powerful tool that can be shared.

“Bridgespan has now consulted to over 200 not-for-profits in areas including strategy and recruitment. In the eyes of our clients, the work has had a profound effect on the ability to move their organisation toward more significant results. With over 700,000 registered charities in Australia, it is exciting to imagine the potential for impact here. We are flattered that Social Ventures Australia would consider using us as a model," said Jon Huggett.

SVA Consulting services are available to all community organisations and funders of the social sector. A number of not-for-profits, including Wayside and The Benevolent Society, are already seeking the assistance of SVA Consulting.
ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact -

Agata Kenna
Macquarie Group Foundation
M: 0400 305 767
P: 02 8232 7339

EDITOR’S NOTES

Social Ventures Australia
SVA is a not-for-profit venture philanthropy organisation. It partners with outstanding not-for-profit organisations, supports their growth efforts and uses benchmarks and performance measurements to hold them accountable for generating social change in Australia.

With support from individuals, foundations and corporations, SVA is building a community of like-minded thinkers dedicated to creating new solutions for entrenched social issues. SVA has so far supported more than 50 not-for-profit enterprises - providing a mix of funding access, corporate mentor support and best practice shared learning.

Macquarie Group Foundation
The Macquarie Group Foundation has been providing support to community programs for more than 35 years. In the year to March 2008, the Macquarie Group Foundation, together with Macquarie Group staff efforts, contributed more than $23 million to over 500 community organisations around the world.

Bridgespan Group
Founded in 2000 and incubated at Bain & Company, Inc., the Bridgespan Group is a not-for-profit organisation bringing leading-edge strategies and tools to the challenges and opportunities facing not-for-profit organisations and foundations.

At the heart of Bridgespan’s mission is the belief that not-for-profits are the best hope for addressing many of today’s pressing social and environmental problems. A strong and effective not-for-profit sector can be a powerful lever for change — as well as a source of human inspiration.