Robin Keithley’s Post

Reimagining Impact: Creative Solutions for Social Change Introduction The world faces complex challenges – poverty, education inequality, environmental issues. As philanthropy professionals, we play a vital role in driving positive change. But how can we truly move the needle? This article explores innovative approaches to tackling societal problems, emphasizing collaboration, unconventional thinking, and long-term impact. Beyond the Checkbook: A Spectrum of Giving #Philanthropy extends beyond financial donations. It's about leveraging our skills, networks, and voices to create lasting solutions. Here are some creative ways to make a difference: Skills-based volunteering: Share your expertise with nonprofits in need. From marketing to financial planning, your professional skills can significantly boost their impact. #Impact investing: Invest in businesses or organizations tackling social issues alongside generating financial returns. #Cause advocacy: Raise awareness through social media campaigns, public speaking, or even creative arts projects. Shine a light on critical issues and inspire others to act. #Collaboration is Key Tackling complex problems requires a united front. Here's how collaboration can fuel positive change: Cross-sector partnerships: Work with businesses, government agencies, and other nonprofits to build a comprehensive approach. Community engagement: Include the voices and experiences of those directly affected by the issue. This creates solutions that are truly responsive to needs. Data-driven decision-making: Utilize data analysis to measure success and adapt strategies as needed. This ensures your interventions are efficient and have a measurable impact. Thinking Outside the Box Sometimes, the most effective solutions come from unexpected places: #Social innovation: Support initiatives that utilize technology, design thinking, or unconventional approaches to solve problems. #Scaling existing solutions: Identify successful local projects and partner to expand their reach and impact on a larger scale. #Investing in prevention: Support initiatives that address the root causes of social issues, creating long-term solutions and a more sustainable future. Conclusion #Philanthropy doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all approach. By embracing creativity, collaboration, and data-driven decision making, we can move beyond traditional models and contribute to real, measurable social change. Let's continue to think outside the box and reimagine the way we approach philanthropy. Call to Action Share your thoughts! How are you creatively tackling social challenges in your work? Let's connect and learn from each other in the comments section below. Chaula Shah Om Shah Riddhi Desai Kaushal Singh Kaushik🌱 Sonani Prijan Kurup

Just released: "Illuminating the Invisible" - Exclusive interviews featuring the power of social impact infrastructure organizations in advancing impact at scale. "If we want to really create deeper change, we think philanthropy should not remain simply a sector that fills gaps left by government or market, but actually helps trigger transformation,” Benjamin Bellegy, Executive Director of WINGS.  Check out and share this fascinating study from Propel Philanthropy, supported by WINGS, on the work of social impact infrastructure organizations and the contribution they make to the philanthropy sector across the world. https://lnkd.in/gARyv8ZQ

⭐️ Philanthropy Impact Announces Launch of ‘23 Impact’: A Pioneering Online Platform to Enhance Philanthropic and Impact Investment Initiatives ⭐️   In a significant move designed to reshape the philanthropic and impact investment landscape, we are thrilled to unveil ‘23 Impact,’ an innovative online platform poised to revolutionize how individuals connect, learn, and collaborate in the realms of philanthropy and impact investing. This dynamic platform offers a vibrant space for donors, investors, and private client professional advisors to network and access invaluable resources. Key features of ‘23 Impact’ include: 🟣 A comprehensive hub for those committed to making a significant difference through impact investment and philanthropic efforts. 🟣 Customizable profiles for users to highlight their philanthropic visions, investment objectives, financial strategies, and showcase their experience and expertise. 🟣 A broad reach that extends to private client advisors, wealth management firms, non-profit organizations, government entities, and other crucial players in the field. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey to enhance collaboration and drive meaningful impact in the world of philanthropy and impact investing. Find out more 👉🏽 23impact.org #Philanthropy #ImpactInvesting #SocialImpactInvesting

If you have ever wondered who in the philanthropy ecosystem can help you with a particular next step or query but didn’t know how to find the right person, then the launch of ‘23 Impact’ will be good news! See below for details ⬇️ fab idea Philanthropy Impact #philanthropy #connections #gettingtherightadvice

Very interesting new report from EY on the shortfalls & opportunities in Community Investment, and how successful CI programs should be driving more business value. Dominic Thurbon Emily Heath I really enjoyed the read, and the findings echo what we often see here Benevity when we help our clients to design technology solutions that deliver their CI programs at scale globally. There needs to be authentic belief by senior leadership in how the company's purpose connects to their community & social impact programs. Unfortunately the traditional handout mentality of legacy corporate philanthropy programs, and executives who still believe that ticking a box is sufficient, continues to haunt many CI professionals who are trying to create more strategic programs. With better impact reporting across all stakeholder areas (society, employees, brand, customers etc.), this will shift, but CI professionals also need to get better at marrying their program impact results that show business value with the ask for greater investment year over year. The need for greater standardization in impact reporting is crucial, to assist funders to more clearly show business value from their impact, but also to reduce the administrative reporting burden on partner organisations. This has to be underpinned by technology in order to achieve scale, which is why Benevity have partnered with the team at Impact Genome to bring their leading impact registry to our platform. I love the part about strategic aspiration, and how that should be aligned with the company's purpose, business and the needs of the community. One element I would add here is the tremendous opportunity to empower employees as a pillar of a successful program. This goes beyond the standard "day off to volunteer or team fundraiser". Our most successful client programs, the likes of Macquarie, Cisco, Microsoft, Apple etc. all understand that by designing a program whereby employees are actively included in the community investment decision making process, have the ability to support causes that are personally relevant to them individually, and take action on important issues that arise, they are providing their people with a voice through these programs. This builds a meaningful bond between employees & the employer, which has been linked to lower employee turnover, higher employee productivity and pride in the company= direct business value. https://lnkd.in/gD4ZffTr

Every two years, we curate a compendium of the latest data & trends in social impact partnerships to help nonprofit & corporate cause practitioners raise funds, improve cause activations, & build stronger relationships. 📈 For Momentum’s 2024 Social Impact Stats features insights to help practitioners better understand & adapt to trends in the social impact landscape & provides perspectives from consumer, employee, & corporate decision-makers. Read a few highlights from the report in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eD7rbyMJ #socialimpact #CSR #ESG #nonprofitfundraising

Taking on a specific issue allows philanthropy to focus resources and show progress often against clearly defined metrics. It is a rational approach to simplifying what we know is the complex path to social change. But philanthropy can do more. Anna-Marie Harling, Co-Impact talks two key concerns when discussing the biggest internal risks to philanthropy. Read it here! https://bit.ly/42vYpH1

❔Provocation Incoming… I’ve always been a fan of Otto Scharmer’s work on #complexity. Here he presents four models for how #philanthropy address #polycrises. This is an interesting inquiry because philanthropies are unique juggernauts with the capacity to nudge and shift #systems - but can also inadvertently entrench them or produce unintended consequences at a massive scale. This makes me wonder: how might philanthropies seeking to operate at the 3.0 (#collaborative) and 4.0 (#transformative) levels positively transform systems if they are still operating with 1.0 (input focused) and 2.0 (metrics-guided) tools and mindsets? More dangerously, 1.0 and 2.0 philanthropies might assume they are operating at the 3.0 and 4.0 levels - this can have dire consequences on decisions made, how funding flows, and how power is distributed. It makes me think of a conversation I recently had with Anna Birney about the importance of understanding at what level of #systemicchange one is operating in: - focusing on change in the system as an outcome - cultivating processes that engender systemic change - the very practices that spark systemic change And as I had shared with students last week at ESCP Business School, solely and relentlessly focusing on the outcome may or may not yield the transformative results you seek… but when starting with and growing from systemic practices, the outcome will always always shift the system (even if slowly). It speeds up when you can combine all three levels. Philanthropy should take heed.

Taking on a specific issue allows philanthropy to focus resources and show progress often against clearly defined metrics. It is a rational approach to simplifying what we know is the complex path to social change. But philanthropy can do more. Anna-Marie Harling, Co-Impact talks two key concerns when discussing the biggest internal risks to philanthropy. Read it here! https://bit.ly/42vYpH1

In the evolving landscape of philanthropy post-pandemic, we face significant challenges. With businesses becoming more cautious in their spending and individuals navigating their economic uncertainties, the crucial support that nonprofits provide is increasingly at risk. This environment prompts us to ask: how can we differentiate ourselves to engage effectively with the emerging wave of "social impact" professionals?