We are delighted to announce the national Finalists for the 2021 SIMNA Awards! This year’s social impact measurement Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 8 December 2021.
About the SIMNA Awards
Now in their 7th year, the SIMNA Awards celebrate the work of Australia’s social impact measurement trailblazers, innovators, best collaborators and most effective funders. The Awards shine a light on the leaders in the Australian social impact measurement ecosystem and recognise those organisations and initiatives achieving the best possible outcomes for all Australians, our communities and our environment.
Winners will be announced at an online awards ceremony on Wednesday, 8 December 2021. Thanks to the generosity of our funders, tickets are FREE for all to attend. Get your ticket here!
2021 SIMNA Awards Finalists
The Front Project – The Front Project
The Front Project (TFP) is an independent national enterprise working to create positive change in Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) system. TFP believes that improving the quality of Australia’s early childhood education system will give all children the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.
Deloitte Access Economics – SROI of the National Community Hubs Program
Community Hubs Australia (CHA) has been operating the National Community Hubs Program (NCHP) since 2013. The NCHP’s objective is to engage newly arrived communities at risk of limited access to social services and economic independence.
Hireup – Hireup Social Impact Measurement
Prior to the introduction of the NDIS, people with disability had little control over their home care and support. Hireup technology enables people with disability to find, hire and manage their own support workers. Hireup is the largest online network of support workers in Australia and is an NDIS registered provider.
Uniting NSW.ACT – SHS 360-Degree Outcomes Measurement
The 360-Degree Outcomes Measurement (OM) process is developed for the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) of Uniting NSW.ACT in the Western Sydney region. Funded by the Department of Communities and Justice, SHS is the primary response of the NSW government to homelessness and supports people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Arthritis NSW – Building Capacity for Impact
After extensive member and stakeholder consultation, the Arthritis NSW’s (ANSW) Strategic Plan 2020-2025 was developed. A major priority was to ascertain and quantify a deeper understanding of the impacts of its various services and supports. The focus of understanding social impact was to implement quality improvement, reduce low value services and increase programs that make the biggest difference to people living with arthritis.
Hireup – Hireup Social Impact Measurement
Prior to the introduction of the NDIS, people with disability had little control over their home care and support. Hireup technology enables people with disability to find, hire and manage their own support workers. Hireup is the largest online network of support workers in Australia and is an NDIS registered provider.
SVA Consulting – Disability Housing Outcomes Framework
Disability housing and funding models are changing across the sector, and governments are looking to ensure value for money. SVA Consulting has partnered with the sector to codevelop a common outcomes framework to understand the impact of housing and in-home supports on the lives of people with disability.
Uniting NSW.ACT – SHS 360-Degree Outcomes Measurement
The 360-Degree Outcomes Measurement (OM) process is developed for the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) of Uniting NSW.ACT in the Western Sydney region. Funded by the Department of Communities and Justice, SHS is the primary response of the NSW government to homelessness and supports people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Clear Horizon – Connected Beginnings integrated measurement and reporting solution
Connected Beginnings commenced in 2016 and provides $12 million funding per year across 24 communities. The program aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through a collective impact approach, which brings people together in a structured way to achieve community-led social change.
SVA Consulting – Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa 10 Year Evaluation
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) is a Martu organisation. KJ engaged SVA Consulting to evaluate their impact on Martu communities between 2010 and 2020. The evaluation created an opportunity for Martu to articulate the outcomes that matter to them and for the impact of programs involving Martu to be measured against those outcomes.
Barang Regional Alliance Ltd. – Ngiyang Wayama Data Network
Ngiyang Wayama is a Darkinyung Aboriginal language word (meaning ‘We All Tell’) which has been generously gifted to the Central Coast Aboriginal Data Network. Ngiyang Wayama talks to the objectives of the data network to empower the Central Coast Aboriginal community to be able to tell their story and define their needs through increased access to, and capability to manage data.
SVA Consulting – Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa 10 Year Evaluation
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) is a Martu organisation. KJ engaged SVA Consulting to evaluate their impact on Martu communities between 2010 and 2020. The evaluation created an opportunity for Martu to articulate the outcomes that matter to them and for the impact of programs involving Martu to be measured against those outcomes.
Clear Horizon – Connected Beginnings integrated measurement and reporting solution
Connected Beginnings commenced in 2016 and provides $12 million funding per year across 24 communities. The program aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through a collective impact approach, which brings people together in a structured way to achieve community-led social change.
SVA Consulting – Disability Housing Outcomes Framework
Disability housing and funding models are changing across the sector, and governments are looking to ensure value for money. SVA Consulting has partnered with the sector to codevelop a common outcomes framework to understand the impact of housing and in-home supports on the lives of people with disability.
Impact Investing Australia – Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant
The Impact Investment Readiness (IIR) program was established by Impact Investing Australia in March 2015. Its objective is to enable mission-driven organisations scale their social impact by raising investment capital to grow their business.
Equity Trustees – Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project
The Lighthouse is a community-led initiative improving wellbeing and educational outcomes for young people from conception to career in Greater Shepparton. Lighthouse was established in response to community concern about childhood outcomes and disadvantage. Lighthouse uses collective impact, place-based approaches to innovate.
Ecstra Foundation – Ecstra Financial Wellbeing Outcomes Tool
Ecstra Foundation (Ecstra) is a philanthropic grant making organisation, committed to building the financial wellbeing of all Australians, within a fair financial system. Financial wellbeing (FWB) is being able to talk about money, to make informed decisions about money and to feel financially secure.
SIMNA Board Member Sarah Barker praised the standard of applications to this year’s awards. She said:
“I am really looking forward to this year’s SIMNA Awards Ceremony. The quality of this year’s submissions was once again incredibly high. To our Finalists, congratulations and all the best of luck for the 8 December announcements!
To those organisations that entered this year’s Awards and were not shortlisted, thank you. We appreciate the time that you have taken to prepare your application(s) and to respond to the questions asked. The Judges feedback is testament to the impressive efforts that are underway in Australia to measure social impact and to improve the lives of our most vulnerable people and communities.
All of our Finalists are very worthy winners. Best of luck!”
Notes
The SIMNA Awards are run annually by the Social Impact Measurement Network of Australia (SIMNA). They are open to any Australian organisation that undertakes or supports social impact measurement. This includes NFP organisations, Governments, philanthropic organisations, social enterprises, for-purpose businesses and impact investors.
The SIMNA Awards would not be possible without the support of our sponsors – Spark Strategy, Urbis, SVA Consulting, Our Community and Humans of Purpose.
