Vital Signs gathers momentum in Australia

This is despite relatively slow growth initially. Between 2008 and 2019, five community foundations had between them published six Vital Signs reports.

In recent years, however, there has been fresh interest in the program. In 2021, the South Australia-based community foundations undertook Vital Signs concurrently in their respective communities with sponsorship and support from The Wyatt Trust. This coordinated effort was a first in an Australian context, setting a powerful example of collaboration.

At the same time, three regional foundations signed up to complete Vital Signs in their communities for the first time, while both the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Hands Across Canberra completed updates to existing reports.

Now, in 2022, a little under half the Australian network have joined the Vital Signs movement.

Vital Signs is a community-driven data program that uses local knowledge to measure the vitality of a community and support action towards improving the collective quality of life. First developed by the Toronto Foundation in 2001​, it is now used by community foundations globally under licence from Community Foundations of Canada​. Community Foundations Australia manages the licensing of Vital Signs for the Australian network.

The Vital Signs program involves gathering community knowledge and data and publishing accessible reports on significant social and economic trends that tell the story of how communities are faring in key quality-of-life areas.

A Vital Signs report typically focuses on locally meaningful issues such as housing and homelessness, poverty and disadvantage, education and employment, health and wellbeing, and community identity and belonging – though it is up to the individual foundation which themes their report will focus on.

The benefits and practical uses of Vital Signs are many. Crucially, the program helps community foundations understand, quantify and prioritise needs in their community, which can then inform the foundation’s fundraising plans and grant-making strategies​. The local data gathered through the program can be used as an evidence-base to support locally relevant solutions to improve the quality of life at a community level.

Vital Signs is also an engagement tool; it enables a community foundation to connect with supporters, potential partners, and the wider community to jointly address community need​.

Put simply, a Vital Signs report is an immensely valuable community asset. Residents, businesses, community organisations, universities and government can all use the report to learn about community needs, take action and direct resources where they will have the greatest impact.

While Vital Signs is conducted on a local level, since 2017 community foundations have begun to align their Vital Signs reports with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the 2030 Agenda. The SDG framework is a wonderful way for community foundations to connect their local action with global issues, and measure their local data against common global indicators and that of other communities around the world.

SDG-alignment offers a shared language, fostering cross-sector partnerships and collaboration. Undertaking Vital Signs – and aligning the report with the SDGs – is a terrific way for a community foundation to communicate shared priorities with new donors and partners.

Now with a library of fifteen individual Vital Signs reports (with more to be published this year), Australia’s community foundations are between them building out an impressive evidence-base about community characteristics, needs and priorities across the nation.

This new momentum seen across Australia is a sign that our community foundations are invested in local communities for the long-term. It’s a sign, too, that our network is committed to the global community philanthropy movement.