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Be a “Norms-Maker” If You Aspire to Be Purpose-Led

Business today is reconnecting with its core purpose of addressing society’s needs in profitable ways. Some companies are forced into rethinking their “reason for being” from crisis and loss of trust (e.g. Volkswagen... Read more

New Primer for Advancing Racial Equity

Many of us want to live in a world free of race-based discrimination and other forms of inequity. Yet evidence abounds that racial identity continues to impact all facets of life in the United States, from... Read more

From Lights to Bytes: The Promise of Rural Broadband

“Mr. Carmody: We Want Lights!” This sign greeted John Carmody, head of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1938 as he was visiting residents in Georgia to hear their opinion of public rural electrification projects. Five years before, the nearby Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was... Read more

Companies That Lead With Authentic, Ambitious Purpose Can Capture Value From Six Sources

In response to pressure from employees, customers, and communities, hundreds of companies have announced a purpose. But upon closer examination, the vast majority of these “purposes” have little to do with the companies’ business strategies. It’s not clear how the... Read more

Systems Change Is a Noun and a Verb

There are generally three types of problems: simple, complicated, and complex. Simple problems, such as needing to change a light bulb, can usually be addressed by commonly known solutions that are relatively straightforward to execute. Complicated problems such as... Read more

Creating a Culture of Learning at the Kauffman Foundation

Over the last several years, philanthropic actors have gradually embraced the fact that being more intentional about learning is critically important to their success. As noted in GEO’s recent publication,... Read more

Companies Across Latin America Embrace Shared Value and Purpose

Earlier this year, FSG’s Shared Value Initiative hosted the 9th annual Shared Value Leadership Summit in Boston, MA. The Summit brings together a wide array of corporate leaders and shared value practitioners to spark discussion... Read more

We Must Step Forward on Behalf of the Children at our Border

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and statesman

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” — Nelson Mandela, Former President... Read more

Advancing Equity, Justice, and a Culture of Collaboration: Insights from the 2019 Collective Impact Convening

This post, which originally appeared on

The Best Way to Rejuvenate Rural America? Invest in Rural America.

When it comes to their impact, there’s an inaccurate and problematic narrative about rural areas—one in which rural areas take more than they give from the government. In a recent paper and New York... Read more

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