Valuing Complex Third Sector Organisations

Supporting a third sector organisation (TSO) because it is worthy, trying hard and might just do some good is right out of fashion. The demand is for tangible outcomes
or — adding some rhetorical force but little meaning — impact.
To survive in this world, TSOs must be able to convince policy makers, funders and actual and potential
service-users of the value that they add. This fundamental issue has two analytically distinct but operationally connected components: what counts as value? and was it the TSOs actions that added it?
The first goes to our conceptions of value — a philosophical matter. The second, goes to causation — a
matter that mixes factual inquiry with value-based judgement. Both involve choices and judgements that require careful thought rather than simple slogans. These issues are particularly acute when we consider Community Anchors, locally-based multi-functional organisations that exist to respond to multifarious and changing local needs.