Nonprofit impact measurement and collaboration

Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has forced not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) to look outside their organizational boundaries for collective impact. In this unprecedented and turbulent situation, the need to understand and articulate the effectiveness and impact of collaborative efforts is paramount. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential nexus between nonprofit impact measurement and collaboration. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews key aspects of the NFP impact measurement and collaboration literature and discusses the potential nexus between these two concepts. NFP collaboration refers to the collaborative arrangements that involve NFPs with other NFPs and/or businesses and government. Findings Based on a literature review, this paper argues that NFPs must acknowledge the significance of impact measurement when engaging in collaborative efforts and the mutually reinforcing relationships between the NFP impact measurement and collaboration to make a collective impact. Originality/value Research on the nexus of NFP impact measurement and collaboration is scant, but it is urgently needed due to the COVID-19 crisis. This paper is timely to review the extant knowledge base of NFP impact measurement and collaboration and attempts to draw meaningful connections between the two concepts. The paper also has significant implications for practice as it responds to the calls for more collaboration in the New Zealand NFP sector and will be of interest to NFP leaders, managers, funders and policymakers.