Social Impact Toolbox
Domain: Social Impact Evaluation
Type: Capacity Building
Year: 2017-2023
Research Team: Professor Bronwen Dalton, Dr Rachel Bertram, Dr Dean Jarrett, Greg Nairn, Dr Andrew Wearring, Yonah Festinger-Rudge, Sara Hudson & Ruby Wawn
Partners: Bendigo Bank, UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion, Nelson Meers Foundation, PAYCE Communities, & NSW Aboriginal Land Council
The Social Impact Toolbox helps not-for-profits build evaluation skills and measure social change with free, accessible, evidence-based resources.
Overview
The Social Impact Toolbox, developed by UTS in partnership with Bendigo Bank, democratises access to social impact measurement expertise to level the playing field. Through the freely available toolbox, all NFPs, regardless of their size or resources, will be in a position to present methodologically robust evaluations of their programs to inform improvements in practice and secure funds, which together will increase the benefits that flow to the communities they serve.
My Role & Contribution
As co-founder and manager of the UTS Social Impact Toolbox, I led the design and delivery of this innovative platform, coordinating a team of developers, researchers, practitioners, and community partners. I oversaw the creation of three high-impact online courses, launched a public repository of evaluation tools with interactive design builders, and led a partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council to co-design an Indigenous Evaluation Hub.
Free Resources
Printable Framework Templates & Explainers
Downloadable framework templates to support you and your team in evaluation planning. Explainer documents which provide overviews of what is needed in each section is also available.
Evaluation Tool Library & Online Framework Builder
This library provides a collection of practical, research-validated tools to help you measure the social impact of your program. These tools support the systematic collection and analysis of data, allowing you to track outcomes and assess changes in your target group. All tools are free to download and ready to use in your evaluation.
Online Course: Measuring Social Impact
This free, self-paced online course is ideal for anyone working in the not-for-profit sector who wants to understand whether their programs are truly making a difference. It introduces practical tools for evaluating social impact, including how to develop a theory of change and a logic model. You’ll learn what to measure, how to measure it, and walk away with an evidence-based evaluation plan that links your activities to meaningful outcomes.
Online Course: Evaluation Methods
This free, self-paced online course is ideal for anyone looking to evaluate the real-world impact of their not-for-profit program. Building on Measuring Social Impact: Part 1, this course offers a practical introduction to evaluation—providing accessible tools, templates, and expert guidance to help you create a robust evaluation framework and plan, ensuring your work is making a meaningful difference.
Impact
The Social Impact Toolbox secured over $400,000 in philanthropic funding and has been adopted by leading Australian charities including Red Cross, Mission Australia, and Oxfam. Its widespread uptake highlights the platform’s relevance and effectiveness in supporting evidence-based practice across the sector. For this work, I was honoured with the UTS Business School Achievement Award for External Engagement, recognising my contribution to creating enduring value for both the social sector and academic institutions.
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