FAQs | IMPCT

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Question: What is IMPCT?
Answer: IMPCT is a non-profit organization founded by Tanja Ferkau. Since its establishment in 2017, the IMPCT gGmbH team has worked closely with partners from civil society, foundations, business, academia, municipalities, and politics. Together, they develop innovative approaches to systemic change and shape transformation in a long-term, measurable, and impactful way — toward a society that is socially just, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable.

Question: What methods does IMPCT use?
Answer: No change without challenge. IMPCT’s working approach is direct and personal. Analysis, strategy, and relevance are the foundation of everything. The IMPCT team acts as a catalyst for change — by questioning patterns of thought, developing solutions, and offering fresh perspectives. IMPCT applies the IOOI impact logic to drive systemic change and sustainable transformation.

IMPCT fosters sustainable change with measurable results.
Focus areas: climate protection, social justice, and future viability.

Question: Who does IMPCT work with?
Answer: IMPCT builds bridges between foundations and companies, non-profit organizations, and social entrepreneurs — and vice versa. The greatest potential emerges through collaboration and mutual learning.
Its services include strategic consulting, impact measurement and management, organizational development, fundraising, sustainability and impact reporting, communication strategies, and much more.

Question: What sustainability goals does IMPCT pursue?
Answer: IMPCT aligns its work with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The ambition is a holistic realization of all SDGs, not just a selection. IMPCT supports ambitious climate goals, strives to measurably reduce environmental footprints in its projects, and emphasizes increasing the positive handprint. A key lever lies in developing strategies for effective change and supporting partners in implementing them.

Question: What expertise does the IMPCT team have?
Answer: The IMPCT team brings together diverse expertise from business, civil society, transformation, regulation, impact management, fundraising, communication, and science. A high-level network of specialists in sustainability and civil society — from fields such as politics, IT and AI, law, and taxation — complements the core team. IMPCT combines deep subject knowledge with systemic vision to create lasting solutions.

Question: How does the IMPCT team work?
Answer: IMPCT’s approach is based on dialogue, partnership, and a genuine intent to create fundamental, systemic impact. The team works interdisciplinarily, tailor-made, and with dedication toward sustainable, future-oriented solutions. For eight years, IMPCT has been deliberately active across diverse partnerships, building comprehensive knowledge from multiple perspectives — from NPOs and foundations to education for sustainable development and international social enterprises in climate protection. When needed, IMPCT also develops its own solutions such as regulations, frameworks, and digital tools. This breadth of knowledge and experience makes IMPCT distinctive.

Question: What is IMPCT impact management?
Answer: IMPCT’s work is structured around the IOOI logic (Input, Output, Outcome, Impact) — a foundational concept in impact management. Based on this, IMPCT uses the seven-step PHINEO staircase method in practice. This approach creates transparency for all stakeholders, from funders to implementation partners, and fosters effective collaboration. Most importantly, it enables planning and strengthening of the desired long-term societal impact.

Question: What are impact reports?
Answer: Impact reports make the concrete social impact of organizations and projects transparent and help refine it. The process begins by clarifying the starting point, goals, and KPIs. The outcome is a detailed overview of quantitative and qualitative results, bringing together all relevant data in a single document. Impact reports build funders’ trust and secure ongoing support. The insights gained serve as both a tool and an engine for future improvement and development. A well-developed concept and appealing design are essential components.

Question: What is the WirkRaum Hamburg?
Answer: The WirkRaum is a new space for collaboration, innovation, and expertise currently being developed in Hamburg-St. Pauli. It serves as a hub for non-profit organizations, social entrepreneurs, and foundations. It will include a qualification and support program (the IMPCT “Program for Impact”), dedicated workspaces, an event venue for non-profit use, and regular networking opportunities — all free of charge for non-profit organizations.

Question: How does the “Program for Impact” work?
Answer: This free 12-month program strengthens non-profit organizations through individual consulting and networking. IMPCT supports participants in building robust structures, developing potential and capabilities, improving results, and ensuring long-term organizational resilience.

Focus on systemic change and sustainable impact.
Competence areas: finance & law, strategy & organization, change & volunteering, communication & marketing, fundraising & funding.
Located in the heart of Hamburg as a central hub for engagement and collaboration.

Question: What is a footprint and what is a handprint?

Answer: A footprint refers to the negative impact our actions have on the environment and resources – in other words, what we directly “consume” or pollute through consumption, mobility, energy use, etc. Footprint issues are often the areas that everyone notices first. They frequently have a diminishing effect: the initial savings are relatively easy to achieve, but after that it becomes more difficult to achieve further necessary positive effects.

With handprints, on the other hand, the opportunities are much better and the focus is on the positive impact that we can actively generate: Not only conserving resources, reducing emissions, engaging in charitable work, and protecting the environment ourselves, but also leveraging the potential of organizations to influence and mobilize target groups and promote positive behavioral change far beyond our own boundaries through social engagement, motivation, inspiration, and participatory initiatives. For organizations and companies, the handprint offers particular potential in leadership, motivation, engagement, and long-term change.

Question. What is a gGmbH?

Answer: A gGmbH – gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited liability company) – is a limited liability company with the purpose of serving the public good. It pursues charitable goals, which must be specified in its articles of association. Profits may only be used for charitable purposes; distributions to shareholders are prohibited. It receives tax breaks (e.g., corporate income tax exemption) and must prove its non-profit status to the tax authorities. We chose the gGmbH as our legal form because transparency, proof of non-profit status, and clear use of funds are important to us.

Question: What is systemic transformation?

Answer: Overarching answer/definition: Systematic transformation is a sustainable, targeted change at all levels (strategy, processes, resources, governance, culture) with the aim of achieving all 17 SDGs and beyond. It aims to combine long-term visions with measurable measures, increase the resilience of organizations and societies, and take into account the comprehensive interactions between the environment, economy, and society. It is about structured, iterative change rather than isolated projects.

IMPCT supports systemic impact by providing organizations with concrete tools—strategic, operational, and structural—so that they can not only survive but also grow and make an impact. We help with strategic support, operational implementation, structural strengthening, capacity building, systemic cooperation, impact measurement, and risk management to overcome obstacles such as financing, human resources, structures, and volunteer management. In short: tapping into potential in a targeted manner and enabling sustainable SDG impact.