With a broad and diverse portfolio of nonprofit partnerships in the region, Google.org wanted to understand not only the outcomes being achieved but also the health and effectiveness of its partnerships — and to develop a forward-looking strategic narrative to guide future investment. The project aimed to answer a central question: How effective are Google.org’s APAC partnerships in creating meaningful and measurable change?

Our impact

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) was engaged to lead an independent review of Google.org’s APAC partnerships, drawing on our experience in outcomes measurement, social value analysis, and partnership assessment. The project was delivered remotely via Zoom and Google Hangouts, allowing engagement with stakeholders across multiple countries.

Our approach included:

  • Developing a lightweight, iterative online framework to gather partnership data and feedback
  • Conducting qualitative interviews with selected nonprofit partners
  • Engaging Google staff across the Asia Pacific and U.S. headquarters to understand internal systems and strategic goals
  • Reviewing internal documents to inform insights and identify areas for improvement
  • Mapping partner activities and intended outcomes using simplified Theory of Change models
  • Drawing on SVA’s experience to assess partnership effectiveness and surface areas for improvement
  • Identifying success factors and opportunities for improvement across the portfolio

The project was delivered using a flexible and collaborative model. A “straw-person” version of the framework was developed early, allowing Google.org to provide input and shape the final deliverables based on internal alignment and evolving priorities.

Key insights

  • Working with international nonprofit partners presented opportunities for large-scale impact and revealed the value of applying SVA’s expertise beyond Australia.
  • While the project was framed around partnership review, Google.org stakeholders consistently returned to a focus on outcomes and impact, particularly for communication and strategic planning purposes.
  • Remote delivery proved effective for cross-regional engagement and collaboration, supporting the feasibility of future international projects.

Results and impact

The review provided Google.org with:

  • A clearer understanding of the strengths and gaps in its APAC partnership portfolio
  • A flexible framework for assessing partnership effectiveness
  • Practical insights and a clear articulation of strategic priorities to guide the next phase of Google.org’s partnership approach
  • Insights into outcomes being achieved across selected partnerships, contributing to Google.org’s internal strategy development and communications

The final deliverables were actively used within Google.org to drive internal conversations, refine strategy, and secure alignment on future philanthropic directions.

Looking ahead

This engagement positioned SVA as a valued international expert in partnership assessment and outcomes measurement. It demonstrated the power of a flexible, outcomes-focused approach and highlighted opportunities to bring this expertise back into Australian projects. The lessons learned will inform future work with corporate partners seeking to better understand and amplify the impact of their social investments.

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