Upworthy’s Post

The 2024 $1M Impact Prize has launched and is now seeking applicants! The Impact Prize is a major initiative designed to reward those at the forefront of workforce innovation. In its inaugural year, the Prize is seeking those taking action to drive positive change in today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape: the problem-solvers and innovators bridging gaps by increasing access to family-sustaining wages, career progression, and social mobility for people from all backgrounds. This $1 million open call award is a cornerstone of the Iovino Family Foundation’s long-term commitment to advancing economic prosperity for more people in the United States by promoting skills training, entrepreneurship, and investment in innovative learning technology. The Impact Prize is accepting applications now through May 24, 2024. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an annual operating budget of less than $5 million for at least two of the last four fiscal years. To register your organization and learn more about the 2024 Impact Prize, explore www.theimpactprize.org. #workforcedevelopment #highereducation #innovation #futureofwork #jobquality

Just over a year ago, I left a full-time role as a foundation CEO to take a sabbatical and, considering I was heading to a milestone birthday, to reflect more deeply on how I wanted to add value to the world. The beginning of the year was full of rest, travel, reading, reflection and inspiration. It was the best decision. It gave me the distance I needed to gain perspective. I met with more than a hundred amazing change-making leaders doing incredible things around the world. I spoke at a few global events and taught, volunteered, listened and debated, and was motivated all over again.   You see, despite massive learnings over two decades of social change work in South Africa and India, I often feel disillusioned and like I am starting again on day one considering the size and complexity of the challenges. I am constantly left with more questions than answers in this work, as many of us are.   For example, I think about how little we seem to know about how social change actually happens.  I think about how despite various efforts around the world, some SDGs have little or no progress, and some are even worse than they were in 2015.   What makes one project or intervention succeed and another, not? I reflect on how people think about and design interventions, and the delivery mechanisms they use. How they measure their impact and how they learn, iterate and evolve. I wondered about which forms of social ventures work best in what circumstances, and what makes impact “stick”?   I think about how people lead in this space. The courage. The innovation. The dedication. The power and the politics. The bold visionaries and system disruptors. The community developers. The people who keep the wheels turning. The decision-makers over capital and the beneficiaries of other people’s best guesses.   I think about over-used words such as collaboration and yet see more disconnection rather than replicable examples of it in action. And I often think about the systems that keep inequality and poverty in place despite the well-intentioned efforts of many.   My reflections on the architecture of social impact led me to create Niara Advisory to partner within the social economy, business environment and academia to interrogate, learn, and share more on the fundamentals of success and importantly, to support others as they contribute to real change. Niara Advisory is also a “doer” and about being the “women in the ring” as impact architects, along with a wider network of expertise, to help structure, strategise and support efforts to contribute to the important mission of making life more equitable and enriching for those who have been marginalised. www.niaraadvisory.com   #impactarchitects #enablingsocialchange #philanthropy #socialentrepreneurship #systemschange #sustainableimpact #tacklinginequality #storytellingforsociachange

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

2024: Anchored in Purpose 2023 has indeed been an extraordinary year, the uncertainty over geopolitical tensions, wars happening around the world, rapid rise in interest rates and weakening economic conditions, these have made it difficult for many. At the beginning of 2023, I set myself to focus on being presence and helping Apricot’s portfolio companies to navigate the complexity. Some did well, some has emerged out of crisis and thankfully none faced existential issues during this crisis. While I was reflecting on the past year, my son Dayen’s school theme, “Anchored in Purpose”, came to mind. I am fortunate to be able to live my professional life that I always dreamt about. One that empowers purpose-driven individuals to do their best, reach their fullest potential and excel in their respective fields. This wouldn’t be possible without the empowerment from my parents, their open mindedness and concurrence of defining returns beyond just financials. Other than financial returns, the measurement of our success is one that looks at uplifting the community, job creation, environment protection and carbon footprint reduction. Today, Apricot invests with a purpose of not solely wealth preservation for the family but also for the greater good of society. As most of my portfolio companies have emerged stronger from the past year crisis, I hope to spend more time with our family’s foundation, further understanding and exploring the giving aspirations of the family. Since young, my mother always taught me that the ability to give is a blessing, it brings her more joy seeing others happy. Embracing this belief fuels me with strength knowing there is a direct social impact with my daily actions. In the New Year, other than further exploring my giving journey, I hope to encourage the partners of our portfolio companies to embark on their own corporate giving and volunteerism. Hopefully, encouraging them to think beyond themselves, exist with the purpose of being a contributor to society and making the world a better place. While we may not be big in size, we hope to be big in our heart, big in our actions and big on the impact made on people’s lives. Hopefully, we can help make the world a little kinder, a little greener and a little better for our next generation. Hello 2024!

There were once active governmental institutions set up to advance #socialimpact in this country, such as the Office of Social Innovation and the Social Innovation Fund. How closely do we as CSR practitioners align with the work they began 15 years ago? In the international development arena, often the gov’t interventions are the first step, with national objectives being set, regulatory agencies put in place, cross-sector partnerships pursued, and fiscal incentives added to encourage investment and innovation. Do we align ourselves in this model or do too many of us go-it-alone? We should pursue relationships with the long-standing stakeholders in the social impact space like gov’t, nonprofits, academia and foundations. To inform our efforts, we should seek collaborations with traditional innovators at universities. How many of us are leveraging the research, faculty, visiting professors and students at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy? Some of our conferences can also expand to include not just social innovators in the corporate space, but leading social researchers from academia, like the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (Stanford PACS). Networking events are great, but where are the brainstorming rooms where we work across sector to develop new models of giving? And the discovery rooms to research how other countries and cultures implement social impact strategies? There’s a bifurcation happening in #CSR, with focus being split between workforce engagement and social impact. If we’re asking people to take our claims to the latter seriously then we’ve got to evolve our efforts.

While I'm not necessarily a fan of setting arbitrary dates for trusts/foundations to 'sunset' themselves (although I can see the point), it would be far better to set *impact* goals as the closure trigger - perhaps with a sunset date as a backup. As long as there is transparency in what the goals are and how they are measured and communicated I would have thought this far preferable. An interesting article from the latest Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://lnkd.in/gnv6pfzw

A collaborative effort across business, government, and philanthropy leaders in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties has given rise to the the new Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership. This initiative, led by Jayme Powell and managed by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, aims to forge an inclusive talent pipeline for a prosperous economy in southeast Michigan. Building upon the success of the City of Detroit’s Workforce Development system, which achieved an impressive 40,000 job placements for Detroiters in just over four years, the new regional initiative takes a bold step forward. Through the establishment of a regional, employer-led collaborative and sustained engagement with key industries, the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership addresses a critical gap in southeast Michigan’s workforce development ecosystem. Learn more about this initiative, Jayme Powell, and the first sector collaborating with the partnership to tackle a significant talent gap. Click to discover more. https://lnkd.in/dHDkcG3K

Navigating the Modern Landscape: A Blueprint for Today's Youth In today's fast-paced world, the youth are faced with a myriad of challenges and opportunities. From technological advancements to socio-economic shifts, the landscape is constantly evolving, presenting both obstacles and avenues for growth. As a member of this dynamic generation, it's imperative to chart a course that not only navigates the complexities of the present but also paves the way for a prosperous future. 1. Embrace Lifelong Learning: In an era of rapid innovation, the ability to adapt and learn continuously is paramount. As technology reshapes industries and creates new ones, staying abreast of the latest developments is essential. Whether through formal education, online courses, or self-directed learning, prioritize acquiring new skills that are relevant to your interests and career aspirations. Remember, knowledge is the currency of the future. 2. Foster Connection: In an increasingly interconnected world, the power of relationships cannot be overstated. Build meaningful connections with diverse individuals who inspire, challenge, and support you. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards; it's about forging authentic relationships that can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Embrace diversity and inclusivity, recognizing the richness that different perspectives bring to the table. 3. Champion Social Responsibility: As global citizens, we have a responsibility to contribute positively to our communities and the world at large. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or sustainable practices, prioritize initiatives that promote social good and environmental stewardship. Remember, small actions can have a ripple effect, creating meaningful change in the world around us. 4. Pursue Passion with Purpose: In the pursuit of success, don't lose sight of what truly ignites your soul. Follow your passions with purpose, aligning your goals with your values and aspirations. Whether it's pursuing a creative endeavor, starting a business, or advocating for social justice, channel your energy towards endeavors that bring you fulfillment and meaning. Remember, true success is not measured by external accolades but by the fulfillment found in pursuing your passions with purpose. As the torchbearers of tomorrow, the youth have the power to shape the world in profound ways. By embracing lifelong learning, cultivating resilience, fostering connection, championing social responsibility, and pursuing passion with purpose, today's youth can navigate the complexities of the modern landscape with confidence and conviction, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.

FSG's ideas on What to watch out for in 2024 for social impact... provide some valuable insights on multi-issue place-based approaches. This ties in with my recent thinking about the potential pitfalls of "scaling up" by recognising that what often makes local initiatives work is precisely, that they are local. These can be valuable insights for funders to work on systemic and place-based approaches: "Recognizing that you can’t apply a generic national approach to communities shaped by a long history of place, more funders are taking a place-based approach in their philanthropy, making deliberate and direct investments into specific places and regions, working across issue areas, and convening local stakeholders." #scalingup #funders #socialimpact

Our teams of social impact strategists, operations experts, and implementers recently put their heads together to surface emerging trends in giving and grantmaking that we expect will shape the year ahead and beyond. In this blog, we highlight eight predictions surrounding the changing landscape of philanthropy, focused specifically on funding sources, decisions, and vehicles. We hope these trends will spark fresh thinking, raise questions, or provide the encouragement or inspiration you need to help you seize opportunities and try new things this year, while knowing you’re in good company. https://lnkd.in/esS5Ui2k