Turning social value commitments into meaningful community impact

How can developers ensure their social value commitments translate into meaningful, measurable benefits for local communities? This was the focus of October’s HIDB lunch and learn webinar, which brought together representatives from ActionFunder and Hill Group to explore how businesses can better connect with grassroots organisations and demonstrate the impact of their investment.

Hosted by Emma Tasker of Meeting Place welcomed attendees and introduced ActionFunder’s Mark Shearer and Hill Group’s Siân Rebourg and Kelly Player, who shared their experiences of putting social value commitments into practice.

Bridging the gap between business and communities

Mark opened by highlighting the growing pressures facing charities and community organisations. With funding for charities declining and businesses contributing less than they used to, the smallest organisations often feel it most.

A chartered surveyor by background, Mark spotted a gap in the market: there was no platform connecting businesses directly with communities. ActionFunder was built to fill this gap, helping companies deliver their social value commitments through an audit-ready process that makes reporting reliable and shows where funding goes.

Putting social value into practice

Hill Group, a privately owned housebuilder and one of the UK’s top ten, then explained how they use the platform. Their social value strategy focuses on creating inclusive opportunities, supporting prosperity and putting communities at the heart of what they do, with a particular focus on young people not in education, employment or training.

ActionFunder helps them tailor support to local needs, reach grassroots organisations and strengthen their impact reporting. It is also used at the bidding stage and alongside clients.

The Broadwater Road development in Hertfordshire offered a practical example. A £13,300 fund attracted more than 80 applications, with eight local organisations ultimately receiving support. Hill noted that the platform removed much of the administration and gave them greater confidence in the evidence behind their funding decisions.

Overcoming barriers to social value

Speakers also discussed some of the challenges preventing more organisations from adopting this approach. Barriers include securing executive sign-off, the associated costs and a general lack of awareness that such platforms exist.

ActionFunder currently works with over 50 corporate clients and hopes to reach 100. Mark shared that, for some clients, the platform has cut administration by 90%, freeing social value teams to spend more time engaging directly with communities.

With development margins under pressure and the rising cost of living, the session reinforced the importance of ensuring funding reaches the right charities and communities that need it the most.

For HIDB members, the discussion offered valuable insight into how technology and collaboration can help turn social value commitments into tangible community benefits, while providing the evidence needed to demonstrate their impact.