Change Matters 2 – Your Performance Framework is ready for business

Sponsored by the RBS group

After five years of initiating Change Matters as the performance framework for the sector, the cdfa is moving into Phase 2 in which we have reframed the process to follow a logic model that highlights the mission-led outcomes from the work of the CDFIs.

Change Matters 2 (CM2) allows CDFIs to put the case for their lending purpose first, and follow that with data on portfolio performance, business practice (operations and governance), and impacts.

There are three sections:

1. Impact by testing the mission with link to outputs, and outcomes
2. Financial activity of the organisation generally and specific to the lending portfolio
3. Business activity through compliance with the Code of Practice and appropriate policies and procedures for community lending institutions

Information will be provided in advance by the CDFI, on a Change Matters Framework form that aligns with the cdfa’s Annual Survey and includes Logic Model, Inputs & Expenditure on Activity and Impacts.  The site visit itself acts as an audit for quality assurance: it frames the portfolio performance and impact capture in the context of the mission delivery, and evaluates the business operations against best practice.

Tying in to the new sponsorship by RBS, a limited number of members will be eligible for consultancy on preparation for visits; their visit will be subidised and they will be able to apply for a capacity building grant to respond to one or more of the recommendations from the CM2 visit. Members will need to apply for this suport and applications are available from the members’ area.

CM2 comes with clear guidance on how to map a CDFI across the performance framework and recognises difference within the sector in terms of portfolio size and markets served. All elements of the framework and guides are provided to the CDFIs and are available from the member’s area. If you would like more information about Change Matters, contact Claire Caffrey at c.caffrey@cdfa.org.uk.

Stakeholder engagment

The cdfa has worked with a range of stakeholders to ensure that Change Matters is fit for purpose. The cdfa thanks the RBS group for their support of the pilot phase of CM2. Change Matters visits are also supported in 2011 by the Lankelly Chase Foundation.

In the past, Change Matters has been supported by a range of other funders and sponsors. This includes Friends Provident Foundation, who recently funded a report to inform their understanding of the assessment of CDFIs. See Change Matters – Stakeholder report 2006-2010.

With thanks to our Change Matters funders: the RBS Group and Lankelly Chase