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| Centre for Social Impact (CSI) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Centre for Social Impact |
| Formation | 2008 |
| Type | Research centre |
| Headquarters | Sydney |
| Location | Australia |
| Leader title | Director |
| Parent organisation | University consortium |
Centre for Social Impact (CSI) is an Australian research centre focused on social policy, social innovation, social investment and social impact measurement linked to philanthropy and community service. It operates across multiple university campuses and partners with philanthropic foundations, non-governmental organisations, government agencies, and corporate social responsibility programs to translate research into practice and influence public policy. The centre engages with stakeholders including funders, service providers, policy-makers, Indigenous communities and international agencies to address complex social challenges.
CSI originated from collaborations among Australian universities and philanthropic bodies in response to debates about social investment models, evidence-based policy and social return on investment. Early supporters included the Myer Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, and the centre aligned with initiatives such as the Australian Social Policy Conference, the Productivity Commission, and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Influences and interlocutors spanning think tanks and institutes—such as the Grattan Institute, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Lowy Institute, and the Brotherhood of St Laurence—shaped CSI’s formative agenda. Over time CSI engaged with international actors like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Social Innovation Forum, and philanthropic networks such as the Rebecca Macfie Philanthropy Review and the Institute for Philanthropy.
CSI is constituted as a multi-campus centre embedded within universities and overseen by governance structures typical of research institutes, including boards with members drawn from higher education, philanthropy and the non-profit sector. University partners have included the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, Swinburne University of Technology, and the University of Western Sydney, working alongside advisory councils comprising representatives from philanthropic trusts, corporate foundations, and sector leaders from organisations such as the Benevolent Society, Anglicare, Mission Australia, Salvation Army, and Oxfam Australia. Its governance interacts with regulatory bodies like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and reporting frameworks influenced by Standards Australia and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for incorporated entities.
CSI’s research programs span social impact measurement, social finance, systemic evaluation, and program design. Projects have engaged with themes addressed by researchers and institutions such as the Centre for Policy Development, the Mitchell Institute, the Australia Institute, the Grattan Institute, the Lowitja Institute, and the Institute for Social Science Research. Research outputs connect with applied methodologies used by consultants and organisations such as KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey & Company, and Social Value International, and relate to frameworks promoted by the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Programs include evaluations of social impact bonds, outcomes-based contracting, community-led initiatives with Indigenous organisations like the Aboriginal Medical Service, and partnerships with children’s services providers such as Save the Children Australia, Barnardos Australia, and the Smith Family.
CSI provides postgraduate curriculum, executive education and short courses in areas linked to impact evaluation, social innovation and social finance. Training participants have included staff from universities such as Monash University, Australian National University, and University of Queensland, alongside practitioners from non-profits like Care NSW, Red Cross Australia, and Community Council for Australia. Courses draw on case studies involving public agencies such as Services Australia, state departments, local councils including City of Sydney and City of Melbourne, and private sector partners such as Westpac Foundation, NAB, ANZ, and Commonwealth Bank’s philanthropy teams. Educational collaborations extend to vocational providers and professional associations like the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Council for International Development.
CSI forms partnerships with philanthropic foundations, research institutes, charities, and international agencies. Notable collaborators include the Myer Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Australian Philanthropic Services, Philanthropy Australia, Australian Red Cross, World Vision Australia, CARE Australia, and Médecins Sans Frontières. Academic collaborations involve institutions such as University of Sydney, RMIT University, La Trobe University, Deakin University, Flinders University, and University of Tasmania, as well as policy partners like the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the Productivity Commission, and the Treasury. CSI’s networks extend to global actors including the OECD, the World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme, and the Global Social Impact Investing Network.
CSI emphasizes rigorous evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods, contributing to policy reports, outcome measurement tools, and implementation guidance adopted by organisations such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Productivity Commission, and state human services departments. Its impact assessments have informed commissioning of social impact bonds, outcomes-based service agreements, and practice changes within agencies like Corrections NSW, Department of Education, and health services including NSW Health. Independent assessments and peer-reviewed publications have appeared in journals and working papers alongside contributions from scholars at institutions such as the Allen Austin Centre, Lowitja Institute, Mitchell Institute, and public policy centres.
CSI’s funding model combines core university support, philanthropic grants from foundations including Myer and Ramsay, project contracts with government departments and agencies, consultancy income from corporations such as PwC and Deloitte, and competitive research grants from bodies like the Australian Research Council and philanthropic trusts. Financial oversight aligns with university finance offices, grant management units, and funders’ reporting requirements such as those used by Philanthropy Australia and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The blended funding approach enables a mix of independent research, commissioned evaluations, capacity-building programs, and dissemination activities.
Category:Australian research institutes