What is a Statement of Service Performance? (And how to prepare one)

A Statement of Service Performance (SSP) is a short section of your financial statements that explains what your organisation actually did during the year.

It focuses on your activities and achievements, not just your income and expenses. Think of it as the story behind the numbers: who you helped, what services you provided, and the difference you made. For Tier 4 charities, this doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s usually a list of simple measures that matter most to your group.

Your SSP is usually written as outputs (things you did) and sometimes outcomes (the changes that happened because of your work). These are often numbers—for example, the number of workshops held, or volunteer hours given—but they don’t have to be. What matters is that they reflect the real mahi of your organisation and that you can show how you got to those numbers if asked by a reviewer.

If it’s your first time, start small. Pick a handful of measures that you can report on every year, and keep them consistent where you can. This way, your SSP builds up a clear picture of your organisation’s impact over time.

Here's a list of suggestions to get your brain going:

• Programme Participation:
  
  • Number of people who participated in programmes
    
  • Number of workshops delivered
    
  • Number of performances, rehearsals, or events held
    
  • Number of plants planted
    
  • Number of community talks or exhibitions hosted
    
• Volunteers:
  
  • Number of volunteers trained
    
  • Volunteer hours contributed
    
  • Monthly coffee groups or gatherings for volunteers
    
• Community Impact:
  
  • Amount of produce harvested or shared
    
  • Community events attended in support of groups or participants
    
  • Training courses delivered (e.g. Read to Lead, Train the Trainer)
    
• Digital Reach:
  
  • Visitors to your website
    
  • Social media followers (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
    
  • Number of newsletters published and distributed
    
• Other Ideas:
  
  • Attendance at cultural or seasonal events (e.g. Matariki, Neighbourhood Day)
    
  • External events supported or promoted
    
  • Engagement with partner organisations or networks

For more information and inspiration, visit:

• https://www.charities.govt.nz/archived-pages/tier-4-example-performance-reports