Social Impact

Research and practice on measuring, deepening, and scaling community impact through collective action.

All Strategic Planning Board Development Leadership Development Fund Development Social Impact Organizational Development Communications Philanthropic Strategy Nonprofit Consulting

4 articles

Diverse group of community and nonprofit leaders collaborating around a strategy table

GuideSocial Impact

19 min read

February 21, 2026

How to Implement Collective Impact: A Practitioner's Guide for Mission-Driven Leaders

Most collective impact initiatives produce impressive reports and unchanged systems. The difference between initiatives that create real change and ones that don't comes down to implementation — specifically, how they handle power, governance, and community accountability. This practitioner's guide covers what actually works, what consistently fails, and how to build a collective impact initiative that produces equitable outcomes.

How to Build a Stakeholder Engagement Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

A practical, equity-centered guide to stakeholder engagement for mission-driven organizations. Learn the 7-step process, the 5 levels of engagement, and how to move beyond tokenism to genuine shared power.

Drew Giddings

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Professional woman leading a strategy discussion in a modern office setting

StrategySocial Impact

13 min read

February 18, 2026

Beyond the Acronym: Equity Strategy When DEI Is Under Fire

DEI is under political fire, but equity work continues. A pragmatic framework for nonprofit leaders navigating the backlash — how to reframe strategy, protect programs, retain talent, and sustain impact without retreating.

Measuring Social Impact: A Framework for Mission-Driven Organizations

Impact measurement remains one of the most challenging—and most essential—capabilities for mission-driven organizations. This comprehensive framework provides the tools, methodologies, and practical guidance to demonstrate your organization's true value to communities, funders, and stakeholders.

Drew Giddings

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