How we measure impact
The Salvation Army’s Stronger Communities Outcomes Measurement Initiative At The Salvation Army, we focus on supporting Australians experiencing hardship and injustice, with the aim of creating lasting change.
Our work is guided by our mission and vision and is reflected in the services we deliver every day. “Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others, to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus” (Our vision).
To ensure we deliver effective support, we have developed the Stronger Communities Outcomes Measurement Initiative. This work, led by our Research Team in partnership with frontline services and our client database team, helps us understand how our services contribute to positive changes experienced by individuals and families accessing our programs. Combined with the voices of people with lived experience, their feedback shapes our impact measurement initiatives at every stage, ensuring we capture and act upon evidence-based insights that are meaningful to the people we serve.
Social Impact Measurement Network Australia
Our approach to measuring impact is recognised nationally, with multiple awards from the Social Impact Measurement Network Australia – a reflection of our commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.
Our Guiding Principles
To ensure our research, evaluation, and measurement approach remains meaningful and respectful, we are guided by four principles:
1. Accessible and meaningful
We design or use measurement tools that are practical, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate for our frontline workers and the people that we support.
2. Participatory and collaborative
We value the insights of frontline teams, people who seek our support, people with lived experience, and community and system partners. Their voices shape our work, ensuring it reflects real needs across diverse communities and stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and peoples from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
3. Holistic
We recognise that wellbeing is multi‑dimensional. Our approach considers physical, emotional, spiritual, and social factors, along with people’s connections to family, community, culture, and environment.
4. Ethical
All our work aligns with national ethical standards, ensuring respect, safety, and shared benefit for everyone involved.
A big task becomes much more manageable when it is divided into smaller parts and when many people get involved.
results. We can, too.
Loved back to life
Finding hope at Doorways
Good morning Brisbane
Hamilton Salvos Food Program
Our latest Impact Report
