Considerations for funders, buyers and investors in third sector organisations
If you fund or invest in third sector organisations, or purchase services, or commission work from them, you probably have your own systems of monitoring and evaluation. Why should improving third sector performance matter to you?
Confidence in performance and quality
Visible systems for improving performance should encourage confidence to buy or commission products and services, or to fund and/or invest in a particular third sector organisation. You will see stronger performance from organisations engaged in performance improvement including the ability to achieve goals and objectives and deliver high quality products and services.
Improve customer care
The C3Perform approach encourages organisations to focus on results, particularly from customers (which includes funders, buyers and investors). When third sector organisations treat you as customers of their services, you can expect to see improved customer care, including positive communication and reporting.
A comprehensive monitoring framework
Performance improvement (PI) is based on very similar concepts as those of monitoring and evaluation and encourages organisations to demonstrate the results and impact of their work. One key difference is that PI is comprehensive and embedded in operational and management activities, not just project activities. This means that the C3Perform approach should fit neatly alongside existing monitoring and/or outcomes measurement systems that you may use.
Funding for PI
Many of the C3Perform tools are more effective with the support of an experienced facilitator and with access to training for participants in the key concepts of PI. This is mainly an investment of time for the organisation but additional resources may be required. This is entirely consistent with the investment you would expect to see being made in the effective operational and strategic management of an organisation.
Partnership working
The C3Partnership believes that third sector organisations should work in partnership with you to maximise the mutual benefits of PI.