Do NGOs make a difference ? How do we know ?

Do NGOs make a difference? How do we know?

What are the indicators of success for community organisations?

Consumer satisfaction?
Compliance with audits?
Breaking even?
Community involvement?
Consumers getting a house and a job? 

Most services want to know that the work they are doing is making a difference, but finding a way to measure that is challenging. Contracts with the Crown have measurements that focus on the delivery of the contract, but these often have little to do with assisting with change and development. In New Zealand the Ministry of Health spends approximately $175 million per annum on mental health services and we need to know if we are spending it in the right areas i.e. areas that make a difference for people with mental illness.