We know our readers are always on the lookout for practical advice and resources on social change. Below, we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite resources that we’ve found especially informative, practical, or thought-provoking this year.
Changing Hearts and Minds case study – From the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund. How a group of funders took a flexible yet highly focused approach to achieving marriage equality in the U.S.
Engage: How Funders Can Support and Leverage Networks for Social Impact – The Rockefeller Foundation and Monitor Institute created this online resource to “strengthen the capacity of grantmakers to support and leverage networks in service of their social impact goals.”
Equity Matters in Collective Impact Keynote from Angela Glover Blackwell – A powerful speech from PolicyLink CEO and FSG board member Angela Glover Blackwell focused on the necessity to include an equity lens within collective impact work, regardless of the social issue.
Future of International NGOs – This series from Devex, in partnership with FSG and the Shared Value Initiative, examines how the world’s largest international nongovernmental organizations are transitioning their partnership strategies from traditional corporate partnerships to more scalable initiatives.
Kumu – Several technology platforms have emerged to support system change leaders in visualizing actors and networks. We used Kumu’s technology to develop a series of detailed, interactive maps in our work with the Institute of Medicine, and as example maps for our new guide on creating actor maps.
Living Cities Collective Impact Literature Review – A comprehensive review of collective impact publications in 2015, with recommendations for where the field should focus in 2016.
MeasureUp – A suite of geomapping and measurement tools, and ideas for using data to drive decisions from the Building Healthy Places Network.
No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project – The Clinton Foundation’s initiative to advance the full participation of girls and women around the world includes an overview of the current situation with 20 years of data from 190 countries, and a plan to move from commitments to action.
Opportunity, Responsibility, and Security – The American Enterprise Institute and the Brookings Institute partnered to produce this consensus plan to reduce poverty, which includes a thorough review of the facts of poverty in America today and a proposed path forward.
Our National Conversation about Conversations about Race – A podcast about race, culture, identity, politics, power, and privilege in America.
Philanthropy University – This first-of-its-kind educational initiative from the Haas School of Business helps people working for social good deepen their impact and change the world. Topics include nonprofit strategy, global social entrepreneurship, leadership, financial modeling, and more.
Social Enterprises and Global Corporations: Collaborating for Growth with Impact – A report from Acumen and Business Fights Poverty with compelling examples of multinationals and social enterprises teaming up for mutual benefit.
Strategic Philanthropy and It’s Discontents – Stanford Social Innovation Review published a well-rounded discussion on strategic philanthropy with 15 submissions from leaders in philanthropy and academia.
Systems Change: A Guide to What it is and How to Do it – This helpful guide from NPC defines systems change and outlines the various perspectives within the systems change landscape.
TinySpark – A podcast that reports on the social sector, with episodes on a diverse range of topics from “HIV Disclosure: Privacy, Pressure & Public Health” to “Tools for Smart Giving.”
What were your favorite resources in 2015? Share your favorites in the comments section below.
