UK nationwide matchmaking marketplace for all VCSEs
(Charities, Social Enterprises and community groups) to collaborate with government suppliers
Powerful Partnerships
Maximum Impact
The National Social Value Marketplace from whatimpact transforms how VCSEs collaborate with government suppliers to deliver impactful social and environmental projects.
Government suppliers, usually private sector companies of various types, are actively looking to partner with VCSEs to fulfill social value obligations under the mandatory public sector procurement guidelines (PPN 06/20), which include targets related to environmental impact, employment, health and well-being, social cohesion, and various other social outcomes. whatimpact is also used by grant-makers to allocate local grants.
Our nationwide, open access marketplace provides a platform for all registered charities, social enterprises and the variety of community groups and initiatives to present their organisations and work in a transparent, equal manner.
whatimpact’s mission is to expand the resources available to VCSEs and streamline the process of connecting them with supporters, reducing both the time and cost involved in building these partnerships.
Joining and using the National Social Value Marketplace is FREE OF CHARGE for all VCSEs!
Why create your profile on whatimpact?
Equal opportunity to showcase your organisation
whatimpact levels the playing field for all VCSEs by providing you with an online platform that enhances your visibility and connectivity.
Become locally relevant
We connect you with the right companies that can offer you donations based on your beneficiaries, activities and geographical reach.
Request resources
Your organisation can request unlimited resources, including: funding, skills, products, services, and volunteers. You can also promote your commercial offers.
Communicate directly, manage efficiently
whatimpact provides a direct communication channel and a dashboard service to manage and nurture your partnerships.
Streamlined impact reporting
whatimpact’s Social Impact Report is a semi-automated system that simplifies reporting to your supporters, helping you track impact and access grant funding.
Powerful online presence
Each VCSE profile acts as a marketing platform, giving you a concise and professional online presence to showcase your organisation.
The National Social Value Marketplace driven by VCSEs
whatimpact uses Charity Commission England, Wales and Scotland data for charity profiles and Companies House data for social enterprises to publish all UK VCSEs on a map in equal manner.
whatimpact works in close collaboration with local CVS and nationwide umbrella bodies to engage with the sector and offering equal access to all VCSEs to be involved.
whatimpact partners with local and central government, NHS, Housing Associations and Procurement Agencies to promote the marketplace and all organisations registered with us.
whatimpact offers training, content and customer service to ensure VCSEs are empowered to build successful partnerships.
whatimpact donates a £50 unrestricted grant per social impact report delivered by a VCSE to their matched supporter.
whatimpact is an active advocate for mutually beneficial VCSE-company partnerships.
Since 2018 we have built awareness for all size and type of VCSEs through our platform, research, content and public appearances.
Read the latest report
Giving a voice to UK charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in building better partnerships with businesses.
Map & Search
whatimpact maps all VCSEs with an advanced filtering system, enabling companies to find and connect in a hyper-local context. Organisation profiles allow VCSEs to request financial support, in-kind donations and volunteers, whilst showcasing their location and specific projects that require support for their beneficiaries.
Registered charity
Claimed
Unclaimed
Social Enterprise
Claimed
Community group
Claimed
50% of VCSEs do not collaborate with private sector organisations but want to.
whatimpact is here to offer you a platform to find new partnerships!
Social Impact Report (SIR)
Empowering VCSEs to report on impact
The Social Impact Report (SIR) enables VCSEs to effectively report on the impact of their projects, providing transparency and accountability to their supporters.
Data flexibility
VCSEs can use any data they have collected regarding outputs, outcomes, and impact, giving them flexibility in how they report on their projects.
Verification methods
The SIR process supports multiple monitoring and research methods, allowing VCSEs to use the monitoring data suitable for the particular project and goals, considering the resources they have.
Supporter engagement
Each SIR delivered to supporters results in a £50 grant donation for the submitting VCSE, helping them to fund future activities or operational costs.
Simplified reporting process
The semi-automated nature of the SIR reporting process reduces administrative burden and simplifies the process of providing updates to supporters.
Increased trust and credibility
By using a standardised SIR reporting framework developed in collaboration with NCVO, VCSEs enhance their credibility and build stronger relationships with supporters.
Alignment with international standards
The report follows the internationally recognised Social Impact Logic Model/Theory of Change and is aligned with the 8 Principles of Social Value by Social Value International.
Each VCSE runs unique projects with different resource needs.
whatimpact levels the playing field for VCSEs to showcase their work and partner with supporters.
Managing company partnerships and reporting back can be time-consuming.
whatimpact’s matchmaking and reporting system has been built for efficiency, transparency and partnership satisfaction.
Proudly Working in Partnerships
FAQ
How does whatimpact.com match VCSEs with grant-makers and corporate partners?
whatimpact.com offers three ways to match VCSEs with funding and support opportunities:
- Interactive Search – Government suppliers can use our advanced filters and interactive map to find VCSEs that meet their social value requirements.
- Offer Publishing – Posting an offer on the platform automatically notifies all relevant VCSEs, allowing them to apply using their comprehensive profiles.
- AI & MAC Matching – Our AI-powered recommendations and MAC (Model Award Criteria) mapping tool help identify the best partners based on key criteria.
Do I need to answer any questions to apply for funding?
The application process is designed to be quick and efficient. If your VCSE profile is fully completed, you can apply directly. However, some government suppliers or grant-makers may require additional due diligence questions.
What types of projects or initiatives are best suited for the platform?
There are no specific limitations—whatimpact.com is open to all VCSEs looking to form meaningful partnerships.
Can multiple team members from our organisation access and manage our profile?
Yes, multiple users can be added to your organisation’s profile. The account admin must approve new user requests.
Are there restrictions on how awarded funds must be used?
VCSEs must use any donated resources, i.e. money, skills, products, or services, for the project they applied for. There is no general obligation to report on spending unless required by the donor or as part of a government grant. However, VCSEs must complete impact reports if requested and will receive £50 of unrestricted funding for each report.
Can we apply for both funding and non-financial support?
Yes! You can outline your organisation’s needs on the platform, including financial and non-financial support.
Do we need to be a registered charity or CIC to participate?
No, we welcome registered charities, social enterprises, and unregistered community groups.
Is the platform UK-only, or does it support international organisations?
UK-registered charities and social enterprises will automatically appear on our interactive map, even if they support international causes. Organisations not registered in the UK can still create an unregistered community group profile and showcase their work, as some partners seek to fulfil CSR commitments internationally.
Are there any fees when receiving funding or services through the platform?
No, whatimpact.com is completely free for VCSEs.
What kind of reporting is required from VCSEs?
VCSEs must submit at least one impact report within the reporting period as per our T&Cs. The reporting frequency depends on the supplier’s requirements. VCSEs will receive £50 for each report submitted. If the project is long-term, multiple reports can be requested.