Collective Impact Forum

How Does Emergent Learning Help Collaboratives Learn and Adapt?

Fri, 9 Jan 2026 00:59:26 +0000

When collaborative partners come together to tackle complex challenges, learning must be part of the work itself and not an afterthought.

In this new podcast episode, we talk with Lauren Gase of Mindful Metrics and Lori Fuller of Fuller Impact about Emergent Learning and how the principles and practices that are part of Emergent Learning can support collaboratives that are navigating uncertainty, complexity, and change.

This discussion offers practical insights for anyone working in collective impact, backbone roles, or cross-sector partnerships, including:

Why learning is most powerful when it is ongoing, shared, and grounded in real work rather than reports or one-time reflections
How clearly shared goals and thinking help partners remain aligned while allowing space to test different approaches
How simple practices like Before and After Action Reviewsand Emergent Learning Tablescan help groups turn experience into insight and action
How Emergent Learning can help collaboratives work through tensions, adapt to changing conditions, and even recognize when collaboration may not be the right path forward

If you are looking for practical ways to support learning, adaptation, and progress in collaborative work, we invite you to listen to the full episode.

Resources and Footnotes:

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Can a Collaborative Radically Restart?

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:30:08 +0000

What does it look like for a collaborative to shift from nearly sunsetting to achieving a vibrant renewal?

We tackle this challenging question in the 100th episode of our podcast, where we dive into the realities of what it means to rebuild collective work from the ground up.

To explore this topic, we talk with Annie Burke, the executive director of Together Bay Area, a regional coalition focused on climate resilience and equity in the Bay Area of California. Annie details the difficulties the coalition faced when experiencing a near collapse in 2018, the reckoning that followed, and what it looked like to rebuild. This included extensive partner and community engagement, improving governance, rebuilding trust, and developing a sustainable business model for the coalition to move forward.

From those challenges, a vibrant collective was reborn, and has since been championing the social and environmental changes needed for healthy lands, people, and communities.

If you have wondered what it can look like to rebuild a collective through challenging times and to come together for a renewed purpose, this is a great conversation to listen to.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Can Your Collaborative Strategy Be Both Structured and Emergent?

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 23:22:36 +0000

What does it look like for a collaborative to balance planned strategies with new and rising needs?

In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Melissa Darnell, Heather Equinoss, and Luzette Jaimes from the organization CoCreative, and learn how they work with collaboratives to blend structured and emergent strategies when doing collective work.

Listen in as we explore:

How to navigate complex challenges by embracing uncertainty while maintaining clear purpose and shared goals.
What methods can be used for co-designing solutions, fostering continuous learning, and adapting to shifting contexts.
Why embracing the messy, unpredictable nature within collaboration is critical to progress.

Resources and Footnotes:

CoCreative and the organization’s Creative Tools library
Collaborative Innovation Roadmap
6 Patterns in Collaborative Innovation
4 Agendas in Collaborative Innovation
Collaboration Advisor AI Tool

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building Belonging through Conversations

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 22:34:26 +0000

In a time when so many are grappling with division and polarization in their communities, where does one start to build connections to better understand when and why do you feel like you “belong” in your community?

In this new podcast conversation, we talk with Anjum Rahman and Atarau Hamilton-Fuller from Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono, based in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the aftermath of the horrific Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, their collective’s work focused on visiting communities across the country to foster understanding, empathy, and a sense of belonging by encouraging participants to share personal experiences of inclusion and exclusion.

Anjum and Atarau share about the unique, culturally grounded approach that they developed as their group hosted and facilitated “belonging conversations” across 46 cities and towns. These conversations, created with three simple yet revealing questions, helped create spaces where participants felt safe to be truly heard, learned the power of deep listening without judgement, and helped understand each other's shared humanity.

As part of this discussion, we also demonstrate the conversation, exploring the three core questions to help understand why these discussions have been so powerful for participants.

This discussion is essential listening for anyone seeking practical ideas for how to build understanding and foster genuine connection across different groups within the same community.

Resources and Footnotes:

Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono
Resource: What does belonging mean to you?
Resource: How to Hold a Conversation on Belonging

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How to Influence without Authority

Wed, 21 May 2025 23:17:28 +0000

A backbone’s role in a collective is often to facilitate collaboration among partners and help the group make progress toward a shared goal. This can be a complex challenge, as the backbone doesn’t hold formal authority or decision-making power. Instead, it must rely on its central coordinating position to influence, build alignment, and advocate for the collaborative’s mission.

In this new podcast episode, we explore how a backbone can influence partners to take action, without holding a position of authority. We talk with Susan Dawson, the founder and former CEO of E3 Alliance, and author of the new book, Changing Education Systems: Wisdom Gained by E3 Alliance in Driving Effective Change Using Data and Collaboration.

Through her years at E3 Alliance, Susan learned many ways a backbone can influence change. In this conversation, she shares the necessary “best-ats” or core competencies a backbone team needs to activate multiple layers of influence, including:

- Delivering results
- Building relationships of trust
- Having the best data
- Facilitating stakeholders with diverse missions and perspectives
- Being doggedly persistent

The discussion also dives into powerful examples of E3's work, showcasing their own dogged persistence to deliver meaningful results in education for children and families in Central Texas.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Collaboration Can Support Communities Through Economic Transitions

Mon, 7 Apr 2025 22:44:01 +0000

How can a community shift their economic future?

In this episode, we explore how communities heavily reliant on a single industry can come together to diversify and build a more resilient economy. This kind of transformation is complex and requires collaboration across a broad range of partners to support the wellbeing of the whole community.

We discuss what it looks like to diversify single-industry communities with Heidi Binko of the Just Transition Fund and Sherene Hess, an Indiana County Commissioner from Western Pennsylvania. We discuss the challenges these communities face, including job losses and economic uncertainty, and delve into development strategies that can support diversification, including how to leverage local assets, foster collaboration across communities, and access a variety of funding streams.

This is a helpful conversation for anyone seeking to better prepare your community to withstand economic shifts and shocks, and proactively plan for long-term economic sustainability.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Defending and Advancing Democracy and Equity in Collective Impact Work

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:09:57 +0000

Collaboratives based in the U.S. that are working to solve for and reduce disparities in their communities are facing compounding challenges with the current chaotic sociopolitical climate, including sudden funding cuts, mass job losses, mis- and disinformation campaigns, demoralizing messaging from national leaders and those they have deputized, and vigorous attacks on both equity and democracy.

When everything seems to be coming down at once—overwhelming by intention, it feels like a tsunami of Executive Orders, department directives, and social media missives that range the spectrum from unprofessional to potentially illegal (or “extralegal”). The current context feels confounding. What do we do? What can we do?

In a candid and grounded podcast conversation that is both sobering and hopeful, Collective Impact Forum senior advisor Junious Williams talks with Erika Bernabei and Theo Miller (Equity & Results) about this current chaotic time for U.S. collective impact initiatives.

Together, they discuss:

What it means to assess and mitigate risks right now—individually and organizationally;
How organizations with more power or flexibility can provide cover and protect others, and how important it is to not “obey in advance.”
The need for honest conversations amongst partners, including if you have a shared understanding around organization ethics and mission;
The critical importance of storytelling to counter misinformation and support vulnerable communities;
How to analyze the current context amidst overwhelming noise;
How to identify both defensive and offensive strategies to protect and advance equity within the work. (Even if you can’t say “equity” right now at your job.)

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Why Community Listening is Critical to Achieve Effective Philanthropy

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:14:37 +0000

Listening to community members and tapping into community expertise are key factors when trying to understand why social issues are happening, and what potential solutions may be best to address these challenges. This is especially true for philanthropy, a sector committed to traditionally funding social change through more “top down” strategies, rather than seeking and empowering community-driven solutions from the beginning.

Over the last 10 years, the funder collaborative Fund for Shared Insight has been working to support philanthropy to better engage and uplift community voice by promoting resources and building capacity around community listening, centering community voice and expertise, and learning how to shift from “power over” to “power with” their community members and partnering organizations.

In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Melinda Tuan, Shared Insight's managing director. Melinda shares key takeaways from the last decade, including what it takes to support and encourage change in how foundations work with communities. From participatory practices to community advisory boards, we explore strategies that have helped foundations better connect to their constituents and reach their funding goals.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Why is Backbone Leadership Different?

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 23:33:50 +0000

What are the skills and mindsets necessary to be a backbone leader for a collaborative?

In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Paul Schmitz and Dominique Samari, authors of the recent report, “Backbone Leadership Is Different.” We explore how backbone leadership is unique and why It differs from traditional, more hierarchical leadership styles. In the discussion, we dive into:

The specific mindset shifts required in backbone leadership;
The skill sets that are crucial for effective backbone leadership;
The importance of building relationships as a vital aspect of backbone leadership(and why it’s necessary that relationship-building be specified as part of the backbone’s work, and not considered an add-on or “on the side”.)
Advice and insights on how backbone leaders can effective support collaboratives.

Resources and Footnotes

Report: Backbone Leadership Is Different
Webinar: The Skills and Mindset Shifts Backbones Need for Collective Impact
Resource: Racial Equity Toolkit
Online Platform: Kin Universe
Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact
Blog: Making Meetings Work
Podcast: What Makes an Effective Backbone Leader

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Partnering with Companies to Advance Collective Impact

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:29:16 +0000

Companies can be a critical partner in collective impact work. However, working with companies can pose unique challenges, from understanding how to initiate these partnerships to understanding how to best partner to sustain these relationships over time.

To learn more about how collaboratives can engage and partner with the private sector to advance social change work, we talk with Nikhil Bumb, Managing Director at the social change consulting firm FSG.

In this conversation, we discuss the multiple ways that nonprofits and companies can collaborate, from reaching out through corporate philanthropy to building deep, cross-sector partnerships. We also explore some of the unique advantages and challenges associated with partnering with companies, including the importance of:

Challenging preconceived notions about what it means to work in the nonprofit or private sector;
Understanding each partner’s strengths, resources, and limitations;
Strengthening relationships by fostering a culture of mutual understanding, shared learning, and transparency;
Moving beyond transactional relationships to establish a shared mission and values alignment.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How to Foster Effective Partnerships with Government

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 21:52:51 +0000

Achieving long-term change requires having government—whether local, state, or federal—at the collaborative table as a key partner. However, many collaboratives share that building these partnerships can be challenging, intimidating, or confusing.

To better understand how to build and sustain effective relationships with public sector partners, we talk with Caroline Whistler, CEO and co-founder of Third Sector, a nonprofit technical assistance provider that advises U.S. government agencies on effective ways to reshape policies, systems, and services toward better outcomes for all people no matter their race, background, and circumstances.

This discussion explores the opportunities and challenges collaboratives may face when partnering with government agencies. The conversation highlights:

Shifting mindsets from a compliance-driven approach to an outcomes-focused approach, where government agencies work alongside their collaborative partners to define and measure progress towards shared goals.
Why relationship and trust-building are necessary when collaborating with government partners.
Why sustaining partnerships with government can help collectives reach better outcomes for everyone, but also needs to be recognized as an “ongoing process,” requiring commitment, patience, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt.

Resources and Footnotes

Third Sector
Caroline Whistler on LinkedIn

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Reflecting on a Career Committed to Collective Change

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 21:26:51 +0000

Later this fall, Tamarack Institute’s Co-CEO Liz Weaver will retire, closing a chapter that includes many decades supporting community change, collective impact, and poverty-reduction work across Canada and beyond.

Liz is a long-time collaborator and dear friend of the Collective Impact Forum, and it has been a true honor to work alongside her as she has served so graciously and thoughtfully as a change leader, mentor, catalyst, partner, and a lifelong learner.

In this special podcast episode, Liz reflects on her career navigating the many complexities within collective change work, including:

The importance of balancing "people and process" in collaborative initiatives
What to consider when working within complex systems
The critical importance of storytelling to help illustrate how change is possible
Why it is necessary to work in collaboration if your goal is to achieve long-term population-level change

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Connecting Advocacy and Data to Advance Collective Goals

Wed, 2 Oct 2024 22:59:37 +0000

Last year, Independent Sector published research on how advocacy by the nonprofit sector has evolved over the last 25 years, and specifically, how it has severely declined, with only 31% of nonprofits reporting advocacy activities over the last 5 years. Compare that to the year 2000, where more than double that—74% of the nonprofit sector--was participating in advocacy activities.

That dip in advocacy has multiple rationales, including increased confusion about what counts as advocacy and experiencing “advocacy fatigue” from how long advocating can take to create long-term policy and systems change.

To better understand how collaboratives CAN participate in advocacy to support policy change and their collective goals, we talk with Arts for LA, an arts advocacy organization that supports creative arts and jobs in Los Angeles County, California. We learn about the Creative Jobs Collective Impact Initiative (CJCII), and how they have used data to strengthen their collaborative and advocacy efforts.

To learn more about how collectives can get involved in advocacy (and how to avoid or mitigate advocacy fatigue), we hear from Ricky Abilez and Gabriel Gutierrez from Arts for LA, and Adam Fowler from CVL Economics. They share what has worked, what has been challenging, and how partners with different motivations and backgrounds can still work together to achieve advocacy wins.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Designing to Inspire Community Joy and Connection

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:07:19 +0000

How can inclusive design spur community connections and build stronger partnerships in the process?

During the COVID pandemic, the Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum collaborated to launch Neighborhoods Now, a program shepherding resources, both funding and people, toward pandemic recovery and strengthening community partnerships across four boroughs in New York City.

One notable community partnership was with Think!Chinatown, an intergenerational non-profit based in Manhattan’s Chinatown that fosters community through neighborhood engagement, storytelling and the arts. Manhattan’s Chinatown was severely impacted by the pandemic, not only due to the health crisis but also a rise in anti-Asian hate. Through partnering with Neighborhoods Now, Think!Chinatown sought to unite the community, spark joy and connection amongst community members, and create a warm, welcoming space where residents could once again feel safe. From this partnership, the Chinatown Night Market was born.

Launched the following summer, the Night Markets not only created a welcoming, safe, and joyful space for community members, but they also brought partners from across the City together to rebuild trust and re-focus on community needs through the implementation of inclusive design.

In this new podcast, we learn how this partnership grew, how trust was rebuilt, and how this project kept Manhattan’s Chinatown community at its core. We talk with Andrew Brown (Van Alen Institute) and Yin Kong (Think!Chinatown), as they share the key elements that made this community partnership successful, and discuss how programs like Neighborhoods Now can create lasting positive change for communities.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Practicing Futurism Can Strengthen Your Collaborative Strategy

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:42:57 +0000

When building a collaborative strategy or working through your implementation plans, it might feel like what you need most is a crystal ball (or a mystically accurate Magic 8 ball) to reveal which activities will work, which won’t, and where you can pivot so you and your partners can keep making progress. Moving ahead while surfing through ambiguity and questions like, “what will happen if…” can make the process of working together even more uncertain and stressful.

The practice of futurism can be helpful when working through questions about where your collaborative work can go, and how your work may be affected by shifts in , political, financial, environmental, and other conditions.

In this new podcast episode, we explore how futurism can be used by collaboratives. We talk with Trista Harris, President of FutureGood, an organization that supports funders and nonprofits by tapping into future thinking. We discuss how these practices can support scenario-planning, risk mitigation, and imaging what an “ideal future” might be.

In the discussion, we also explore the future trends that collectives may need to consider, including the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), disaster planning, and imagining a bright future when facing daunting challenges.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Advancing Equity in Times of Polarization and Division

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 20:39:03 +0000

Without proactively removing the structures and systems that have contributed to inequity, place-based collaboratives can not make a meaningful impact on the lives of those most excluded and underestimated in communities. However, given the increasing anti-DEI political and cultural headwinds unfolding in the US and several other countries, communities are facing increased challenges pursuing their equity work.

To explore this topic, we share an audio recording from the Day 3 opening panel discussion at the 2024 Collective Impact Action Summit. The panel discusses the challenges collaboratives are facing in their work to advance equity and how collaboratives can navigate through this adversity to continue making progress towards their collective goals. This session was originally held on May 2, 2024.

Featuring:

Jennifer Splansky Juster, Executive Director, Collective Impact Forum
Monique Miles, Managing Director, Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions
Paul Schmitz, Senior Advisor, Collective Impact Forum
Junious Williams, Senior Advisor, Collective Impact Forum

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

The Necessary Skills to Navigate Change

Wed, 7 Aug 2024 23:12:18 +0000

Navigating and managing change is key to a collaborative’s journey, but it’s also one of the most challenging as each partner’s relationship, personal history, and ability to participate in change can vary. Differences in how partners navigate change, if not recognized and explored, can make it difficult for the collaborative to achieve meaningful progress towards shared goals.

How does one lead and navigate through these varying responses to change? In this new podcast episode, we explore this question and more with Dr. Nicole Caridad Ralston and Ileana Ortiz from the racial equity consulting firm Beloved Community.

They have created a curriculum on navigating change, and we discuss the variety of skills needed to both lead and support change efforts, including:

Why self-awareness is a critical part of working through change, including understanding one’s own history with and gut reaction to change
How to work through change while centering anti-racism and anti-oppression
Why it’s important to understand that change is both “head work” and “heart work”
Why capacity building can be necessary to support your team or collaborative to work through change

Resources and Footnotes

Full transcript for this episode available at collectiveimpactforum.org
Beloved Community
Barbara Trautlein – Change Intelligence
White Supremacy Culture
Another CIF episode featuring Beloved Community: How Community Leads the Way with Participatory Action Research (PAR)

From Dr. Nicole Caridad Ralston, here are some reflection questions for a change management process:

How will you free up time and energy to focus on the change process? Where can you delegate projects or shift/share power?
Who are the key people who can work with you to facilitate the change process?
Who are the key influencers who need to embrace the vision and/or be included in the discussion and planning process?
What permissions need to be secured? From whom?
Who are the people/groups most affected by the proposed changes? What impact will each face?
What can you do to help people embrace the change?
How will you strengthen relationships during the change process?

From Dr. Nicole Caridad Ralston, here are more commonly used change management frameworks:

Lewin's Change Management Model:
Main Principles: Lewin's model, based on the Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze stages, emphasizes the importance of addressing psychological resistance to change. The unfreeze stage aims to create awareness and challenge existing mindsets. The change stage introduces new behaviors, and the refreeze stage solidifies the new norm.

McKinsey 7-S Model:
Main Principles: The 7-S Model focuses on the interconnection of seven elements: Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Skills, Style, and Staff. Alignment across these elements is essential for successful change.

ADKAR:
Main Principles: ADKAR focuses on individual change adoption through stages: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. It recognizes the psychological journey individuals undergo during change.

Bridges Transition Model:
Main Principles: The Bridges Model emphasizes managing emotional transitions during change through stages: Endings, Neutral Zone, and New Beginnings.

Kotter's 8-Step Model:
Main Principles: Kotter's model outlines eight steps for successful change, emphasizing leadership's role in setting direction, creating urgency, and anchoring changes.

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

For Philanthropy to Succeed, All Strategies Must Address Disability

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 21:03:35 +0000

Addressing issues related to disability and access are often cordoned off within the social sector and philanthropy. Disability is often deemed as “separate” from issue-specific systems change work, such as education, climate, economic mobility, or health equity. Funders supporting causes like these may think that their focus does not require including disability, or that addressing disability may make things “too complex” and “out of scope” for their issue-focused grantmaking efforts.

This exclusion of disability from the wide spectrum of grantmaking has its own reverse multiplier effect. Instead of scaling change to reduce inequity and create the conditions for more people to thrive, excluding disability means that change only addresses a subset of people while overlooking communities deeply affected by systemic inequity.

In this episode, we talk with a group of philanthropic leaders who are each dedicated to advancing disability justice. We discuss why addressing disability is imperative for all grantmaking to be successful, and how funders can embed disability across all of their philanthropic work.

Featuring:-

Miya Cain, Associate Director, FSG (Moderator)
Rebecca Cokley, Program Officer of U.S. Disability Rights, Ford Foundation
Ryan Easterly, Executive Director, WITH Foundation
Sandy Ho, formerly Program Director, Disability Inclusion Fund, Borealis Philanthropy, and currently Executive Director, Disability and Philanthropy Forum

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Why Understanding Local Context Is Critical for Collective Impact

Tue, 2 Jul 2024 23:45:06 +0000

Understanding a community’s “context” and its readiness for complex change work is a critical factor for launching and advancing collective impact work.

Knowing the local context is necessary to support work with and within a community--who is part of the community, what are they experiencing, and what are their challenges, needs, assets, and opportunities? Where do relationships exist, and is there enough trust among participants to support a foundation for long-term work? Without a basic understanding of community context, supporting change within a community is difficult and runs the risk of causing more harm than good.

In this episode, we learn about the state-wide initiative Community Organizing for Prevention (COFP), which is working with 30 communities across Colorado to support youth and prevent substance misuse. By coaching and supporting community mobilizers who train local partners to advance collective impact work, COFP strived to create a collaborative infrastructure of support across the state, but early feedback indicated that each community had their own circumstances and needs, and there wasn’t one strategy that would address them all.

We talk with Kit Jones (Colorado School of Public Health) and Marc Morgan (Community Organizing for Prevention, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) about how COFP moved forward with humility and deep listening, evaluating and evolving their strategies to support what their communities needed to equitably move forward. We also discuss how COFP, as a state funder, is working with other funders to sustain the work and create a stronger infrastructure for collective change across Colorado.

Resources and Footnotes

Community Organizing for Prevention
Community Organizing for Prevention Evaluation
Training the Trainer on Policy and Systems Change at the Local Level Full Report and Executive Summary
Systems Change and Deep Equity by Sheryl Petty and Mark Leach
The Water of Systems Change

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Why a Policy Agenda is an Important Part of Collective Impact Work

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 19:19:39 +0000

A core element of collective impact is changing systems in the pursuit of equity. Pursuing policy change and advocacy efforts are some of the key levers to effectively change how systems operate. But how can cross-sector partners within a collective impact initiative work together to co-create a policy agenda that addresses inequities and closes disparities?

In this discussion we learn how a policy agenda can drive collaborative action and strategy to support collective impact work, how it can communicate where a collaborative stands on issues, what are the challenges in building a collaborative policy agenda (including bringing partners onboard), and how to approach shifts in the political environment.

Joining for this discussion to share about their policy agenda work are Maegan Frierson and Dr. Shayla Young from KConnect, a backbone organization that supports a network of public, private, and independent organizations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. KConnect aims to facilitate and advance a common agenda to ensure all children in Kent County have a clear path to economic prosperity through quality education, family, and community support.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Mental Health is Important for Every Collaborative

Thu, 16 May 2024 21:26:18 +0000

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we wanted to highlight the importance of recognizing and supporting mental health as a critical and necessary element of a robust and sustainable collective impact effort.

We frequently receive questions from a wide variety of collaboratives that are experiencing challenges related to the mental health of their team and partners, and the impact that this has on the collaborative’s work. For this episode, we invited the national nonprofit Mind Share Partners to address some of those questions. Mind Share Partners focuses on changing the culture of workplace mental health so that both employees and organizations can thrive.

In this discussion, we discuss four key topics that we often hear from collaboratives:

How to deal with burnout
How to manage conflict within the collaborative
What to do if the collaborative doesn’t have a culture that supports the mental health of its participants
How mental health can affect a collaborative’s sustainability and ability to make progress on its long-term goals

In this discussion, we dive into these four topics with Mind Share Partners’ Bernie Wong and Carrie Grogan. They provide guidance and examples of what a collective impact effort can consider if its goal is to build a strong and sustainable culture that prioritizes the mental health of participants in the work.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose (BMWP) Can Empower Youth and Their Communities

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Geneva Wiki, Cindy Santos) — Thu, 9 May 2024 18:28:43 +0000

For more than a decade, The Opportunity Youth Forum at the Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions has been working with a growing network of urban, rural, and tribal communities across the U.S. to build and scale reconnection pathways that achieve better outcomes in education, employment and overall well-being for opportunity youth. (Opportunity Youth are young adults, age 16-24, who are not engaged in work or education.)

Based on their work with a network of 40 communities, along with thought leaders and funders across the field, OYF is advancing four key principles that, when brought together, help empower youth to lead thriving and healthy lives. These principles are: Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose (BMWP).

OYF has brought together what they are learning from their communities on these core concepts, along with academic research and thought leadership. Out of this collaboration, they are developing a BMWP framework as well as a series of examples that demonstrate that when young adults are supported in an environment where they feel they can have a thriving future, the outcomes for both them and their greater community are more successful.

In this podcast conversation, we talk with OYF Director Geneva Wiki about this developing BMWP framework, what the concepts of Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose mean, and how to operationalize these practices into your own work.

Full transcripts of our podcasts are available at collectiveimpactforum.org

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Pivoting to Build a Stronger Collaborative

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 21:02:52 +0000

We welcome back members of the Healthy Food Community of Practice to hear what they learned from their multi-year collaboration and how the way they worked together changed over time.

Launched in 2020, the Healthy Food Community of Practice is a network of more than 50 organizations working toward a shared goal—that communities of color across the country can access and consume nutritious food. Through their collaboration, they came to understand that to be successful, the community of practice had to shift *how* they worked together in four key ways:

Move from scarcity to abundance
Move from consensus to consent
Move from breadth to depth
Move from “I” to “we”

These pivots were necessary for the Healthy Food Community of Practice to strengthen their network and their ability to collaborate with each other, but it wasn’t easy.

In this new podcast conversation, we talk with community of practice members Minerva Delgado (Alliance to End Hunger) and Stacey McDaniel (YMCA of the USA), and Community of Practice Facilitator Carolina Ramirez (Community Wealth Partners) about their experiences and what they learned as they made these shifts in how they worked together. They share what was most challenging and most necessary for their work to be successful.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: From Chaos and Competition to Clarity and Coordination: Four Pivots for Aligning Coalitions to Achieve Equity
Resource: Targeted Universalism
Article: Curb Cut Effect
Podcast: Strengthening Relationships through a Community of Practice
Healthy Food Community of Practice
Alliance to End Hunger
YMCA of the USA
Community Wealth Partners

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Shifting from Competition to Partnership in Private Sector Collaboration

Wed, 6 Mar 2024 22:07:49 +0000

The Millers for Nutrition coalition is working with 100+ millers and other partners to achieve an ambitious goal—getting nutritious, fortified food to 1 billion people by 2026.

One of the critical questions that Millers for Nutrition has grappled with is how to get private-sector partners, many of whom may be in competition with each other, to find common ground, build sustained, trusting relationships, and ultimately work together to support healthy food access for millions of people.

To learn what has worked to support private-sector collaboration, we talk with backbone team member Christian Pirzer from Endeva, and Yvonne Bakken from dsm-firmenich, a founding coalition partner. We explore what has been most helpful in developing these partnerships, and how they balanced the needs and considerations of the millers and other partners.

Resources and Footnotes

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

The Ongoing Practice of Building Movements and Solidarity

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Adaku Utah, Cindy Santos) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 22:49:11 +0000

What does it mean to build a movement? How is movement building connected to organizing and practicing solidarity with others? And why are these concepts important to make progress on collective work?

In this deep dive conversation, we discuss core aspects of movement-building with Adaku Utah, senior manager at Building Movement Project. In this discussion, we review definitions of movement-building, organizing, and solidarity. We also explore what it means to be doing movement work and why strong relationships are necessary to build strong movements.

References and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Exploring the Four Voices of Design to Solve Complex Problems

Tue, 6 Feb 2024 23:06:19 +0000

Getting to the heart of complex problems can be tricky. How does one untangle the many threads that can be involved? How do you uncover what the real pain points are so that you can address them?

In this discussion, we explore the approach of human-centered design and how it can be used to both discover and uplift perspectives to help find community-focused solutions.

To learn more about human-centered design, we talk with Michelle Carrillo and Leslie Tergas of ThinkPlace West. The discussion explores their work using the “four voices of design” approach, and uplifts examples of how to use this approach within collective work. We also discuss how tools like “empathy interviews” can help draw out community voices so that one can get a deeper understanding of community members’ experiences, including what’s working and what’s not.

References and Footnotes

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Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Community Leads the Way with Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 23:58:15 +0000

Communities can be “researched,” engaged, and surveyed to explore a variety of questions such as what barriers are preventing students from graduating? What are the local economic and health impacts of having only a few grocery stores in the area? It’s important to rigorously explore these types of questions, but there can be danger in taking data and stories from a community for the purpose of research. You can fall into the trap of “community extraction” if the research is not deeply connected to how that community progresses.

Participatory Action Research, otherwise known as PAR, is a methodology that engages those closest to the issues and positions them as the leading experts in research on and about their community.

To learn about PAR, and what it looks like when community members are the researchers, we hear about the work of NoLa CARES, a collaborative of childcare organizations that focuses on creating access, resources, and equity for the success of Black and Latine women in New Orleans, Louisiana.

We talk with Dr. Nnenna Odim (Beloved Community) and community researchers Peggy Patterson and Lisa Williams about how NoLa CARES practices PAR to further their goals - embedding it into their initiative to uplift community leadership, voice, and expertise, and support community members to take the lead in the changes they want to see.

References and Footnotes

NoLa CARES
Beloved Community

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

What Collective Change Can You Make in 100 Days?

Mon, 8 Jan 2024 22:30:36 +0000

Addressing homelessness in rural areas has multiple complexities including scarcity of funding, support services, and shelter options, as well as facing a common misconception that rural homelessness does not exist.

To better understand how homelessness was affecting their community, partners working in Mercer County, IL came together to participate in their own “100-day challenge,” an organized collaborative event that supports communities in kick-starting complex change efforts. As part of their 100 days, they mapped out the broader system that contributes to getting people rapidly housed and stress-tested their support infrastructure to see what was working and what was not.

In this discussion, we talk with several leaders from this work to learn about how folks came together for these 100 days. Joining us to share their experiences is Cathy Jordan (Project Now) and Sean Whitten, Sara Robens, and Peter Muse (RE!NSTITUTE). They share how they worked through challenging times to uncover how homelessness was hidden in their community, and what they did to support people moving into housing.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

(Replay) The Role of Narrative Change in Collective Action

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

During the winter break, we're replaying some of our favorite past episodes.

This replay episode features a dynamic discussion from the 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit, and focuses on the importance of narrative in collective social change efforts. This discussion is led by Melody Barnes of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, and features Crystal Echo Hawk from IllumiNative, Rashad Robinson from Color of Change, and Nayantara Sen from Real Food Real Stories.

Resources and Footnotes:

Video and Transcript: The Role of Narrative Change in Collective Action (Collective Impact Forum)
Building Narrative Power (Color of Change)
IllumiNative Insights and Actions Guide (IllumiNative)
Making Waves: A Guide to Cultural Strategy (The Culture Group)
Cultural Strategy: An Introduction and Primer (Art/Work Practice and Power California)
Stolen Land, Stolen Bodies, and Stolen Stories (Stanford Social Innovation Review)

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

(Replay) Leading From ‘Languishing’ to Beloved Community with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 01:48:17 +0000

During the winter break, we're replaying some of our favorite past episodes.

In this episode from 2022, we hear from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, who serves as President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund. Dr. Wilson reflects on the challenging times that many of us experienced earlier in the pandemic, and the ways we can reground ourselves and move forward, so that we can shift from states of languishing, disconnection, and numbness to a place where we can better connect to ourselves, our purpose, and our communities.

Introducing this keynote are Jennifer Splansky Juster, executive director of the Collective Impact Forum, and Sheri Brady, who is Vice President of Strategy and Programs at the Children’s Defense Fund. Longtime Forum fans wlll also know Sheri, since prior to CDF, she was our colleague at the Forum, and we were excited to have her back. This talk was the closing keynote at the 2022 Collective Impact Action Summit and was held on April 28, 2022.

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript of this talk
Children's Defense Fund

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Achieving Transformational Results in Housing Through Partnerships

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 22:54:27 +0000

In a time when many cities across the United States are facing a growing housing crisis, one community has challenged the status quo, working across divides to bring partners together to raise millions of dollars - with a goal of building 10,000 housing units by 2028 in California’s Coachella Valley.

What sounds like success now, with 1,600 units already under production, didn’t start out that way. The region faced both a lack of funding and a lack of belief that significantly increasing housing in the valley was even possible. But through effective collaboration, steadfast commitment, and hard conversations, the region is seeing progress beyond their initial dreams.

We learn how that progress became a reality in our conversation with two leaders from this work, Omar Carrillo Tinajero (Center for Community Investment) and Heather Vaikona (Lift to Rise). They share the good, the hard, and the harder of how they went from a group of advocates to a successful movement, building an unprecedented number of new housing units and seeing real transformational change in the process.

Resources and Footnotes

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

What Makes an Effective Backbone Leader

Wed, 6 Dec 2023 21:40:44 +0000

To find out what contributes to an effective and sustainable backbone, the EdRedesign Lab at Harvard University interviewed backbone leaders and field-building organizations about their experiences. Earlier this year, they released a report on the most critical skills and competencies required for a backbone leadership team to succeed when doing collective impact work.

We talk with Tauheedah Jackson, Judy Touzin, and Rob Watson from the Harvard EdRedesign Lab to learn more about these essential backbone leadership competencies, and how these abilities can be spread across multiple team members to better support the work.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

(Replay) The Power of Parent Engagement

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 22:44:24 +0000

During this holiday week, we're replaying one of our favorite episodes from last year that focused on the power of parent engagement.

In this 2022 podcast conversation, we learned about the parent engagement work of Child Safety Forward in Hartford, CT - one of five demonstration sites for the federal demonstration initiative Child Safety Forward. In the discussion, we learned about how the Hartford project has worked with parents to become more comfortable owning and exercising their power – all in service of building a Child and Family Wellbeing System where child protection agencies, community partners, neighbors, and families share a responsibility to ensure children thrive. Joining this discussion to share what they’ve learned were Chavon Campbell and Regina Dyton (Child Safety Forward) and parent advocates Georgina Fuentes and Kayla Waters.

Resources and Footnotes

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Sustaining Impact for the Long-Term with Child Safety Forward

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:22:32 +0000

How does a collaborative effort start planting the foundation for sustainability early on?

In this podcast episode, we learn about the work of Child Safety Forward, a four-year demonstration initiative that engaged five sites across the U.S. in research, planning, and implementation around place-based strategies aimed at reducing child injury and fatality from abuse and neglect. The initiative, funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) was launched in October 2019 by the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime.

With the project now closing, we talk with folks from Child Safety Forward to learn what factors were most helpful in building their initial collaborative efforts, and what set the demonstration sites up to continue the work after this funding ended.

Joining this discussion are:

Jasmine Brosnan, Evaluation Program Manager, The Child Abuse Prevention Center
Romero Davis, Director of Practice Excellence, Social Current
Stacy Phillips, Victim Justice Program Manager, Office for Victims of Crime – United States Department of Justice

References and Footnotes

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Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

System Catalysts - The Moth: Storytelling Leads to Change

Mon, 6 Nov 2023 20:39:45 +0000

We’re excited to share with you an episode of another podcast that we think you’ll find very valuable for your social change work. System Catalysts is a show that shares compelling stories from philanthropists and change-makers who are promoting systems change in their communities. They just concluded their first season of stories and we wanted to give them a shout-out and share with you one of their most recent episodes that we think Collective Impact Forum listeners might appreciate.

In this episode of System Catalysts, we hear from Sarah Austin Jenness and Brandon Grant-Walker, who both are part of The Moth. You may have heard of The Moth in your listening travels. It’s an organization and platform devoted to sharing true stories and supporting storytellers, both new and seasoned, on sharing their stories out to the world. As storytelling and narrative are key to collective change work, we thought this might be a good listen. This episode is narrated by Tulaine Montgomery and hosted by Jeff Walker. And if you like what you hear, we hope you subscribe and check out more episodes of System Catalysts. Now let’s tune, and hear more about the power of storytelling at the Moth.

Resources and Footnotes:

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Centering Equity in Challenging Times

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:04:08 +0000

In this episode, Director of Programs and Partnerships Courtney W. Robertson talks with Jamilica Burke and Melody Freeman from Seeding Success, an organization focused on supporting the wellbeing of children and families in Memphis, Tennessee.

In this conversation, they discuss how Seeding Success continues to keep equity at the center of their work, even as they navigate uncertainty and turmoil following the rise of opposition against efforts that specifically address equity disparities. We learn how Seeding Success uses these challenges to fuel themselves forward as well as how they have shifted strategies to continue making progress.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Partnering with Local Governments to Advance Collective Goals

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:32:10 +0000

Local governments can play a critical and necessary role in advancing system and policy changes to support communities, but it can be challenging to understand the complexities within local government and how best to work together.

In this episode, Forum Director of Programs and Partnerships, Courtney W. Robertson explores how to partner with local and city governments to advance collaborative work in a conversation with Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United.

Cities United is an organization that advocates for a holistic approach to reducing gun violence and supporting public safety, and does so through building movements within cities, connecting local government stakeholders with community partners and youth to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities.

Anthony shares what Cities United has learned from over a decade of work partnering with cities across the United States, including what to think about when engaging with local government, what readiness factors to consider before launching a partnership, what capacity and knowledge building may be necessary to understand how your local government and its branches work, and what connections and levers may be needed to strengthen your partnership efforts.

Resources and Footnotes

Cities United
CVI Ecosystem

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How Homelessness is Solvable with a Collective Approach

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Cindy Santos, Rosanne Haggerty) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 22:42:39 +0000

Complex issues like homelessness can feel unsolvable or intractable, but that does not have to be the case. Through a commitment to a collective approach and strategies, communities can end homelessness.

We take a deep dive into this collective approach required to solve homelessness with Community Solutions, a nonprofit that is dedicated to ending homelessness. As part of their mission, Community Solutions leads Built for Zero, a movement of more than 100 cities and counties that are applying this approach so that homelessness can be rare or brief in their regions.

Sharing about what they learned from supporting the Built for Zero network, we talk with Community Solutions’ president Rosanne Haggerty. She details the strategies that have contributed to progress, the mindset changes that happen when you realize even the hardest problems can have a solution, and what it means when a community says, "Enough is enough. Let’s solve this."

References and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Measuring What Matters With Community-Led Monitoring

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 22:20:03 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the practice of community-led monitoring, and how this practice can help inform and influence collaborative change efforts.

To learn more about community-led monitoring, we talk with the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), a global network that works to achieve universal access to HIV treatment and other life-saving medicines. One of ITPC’s core strategies is to "watch what matters," which includes supporting data gathering and analysis that’s centered on and led by community members, and reflects the issues and questions that are most important to people living with and affected by HIV.

To share about what they’ve learned from their community-led monitoring work, we hear from ITPC’s Executive Director Solange Baptiste and Citizen Science Lead Krista Lauer. They share how data practices like community-led monitoring can unearth community access barriers and pain points within a system, and how that information can be gathered to inform advocacy efforts and policy change.

References and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Heeding the Call for Community Partnerships

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:22:57 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the power of community partnerships, and how necessary they are when working to support better outcomes for the whole community.

In this discussion, we learn about the community partnership work of JumpStart, a service organization that focuses on supporting folks re-entering society after incarceration. Partnerships are a critical factor to support JumpStart’s participants in finding what they need so they can more fully rejoin their communities, including employment, housing, and healthcare.

To share about their partnership journey and what they’ve learned so far, we hear from Don Williams, who is a co-founder of JumpStart and Director of Community Relations. Don shares about the long road JumpStart has traveled to provide a whole eco-system of partners to support their participants, and how important it was that even when they faced negative biases, they never gave up trying.

References and Footnotes

JumpStart
The Water of Systems Change

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building Capacity to Support Community Listening

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 21:48:00 +0000

What can it look like to build capacity to support authentic community listening?

In this podcast discussion, we learn about the community listening work supported by Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, based in St. Petersburg, Florida. We hear from a group of partners that worked together to establish community listening to support the South St. Petersburg CRA (Community Redevelopment Area), and what they learned along the way, including supporting community members’ capacity for listening, pivoting through evolving political priorities, and how a hurricane can change everything.

Joining this discussion to share what they learned is Deborah Grodzicki (RDL Insights), Carrie Y. Hepburn-Brown (Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg), Meiko Seymour (Uncommon City) and Julian Smith (Nixon & Co.)

References and Footnotes

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Krista Tippett: Collectively Remaking Our World

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Krista Tippett, Cindy Santos) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:15:55 +0000

How can you imagine and create a world for everyone?

In this new podcast episode, we’re sharing our conversation with Krista Tippett, which was the closing keynote conversation from the 2023 Collective Impact Action. Krista is a journalist, a National Humanities Medalist, a bestselling author, and founder of the On Being Project—a groundbreaking media and public life initiative that uplifts and celebrates deep thinking and conversations around what it means to be here together in this world.

In this fireside chat, Krista joins Cindy Santos (Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions) for a conversation about what it means to create new spaces—spaces that nurture Belonging, center relationships, and value healing, joy, and connection.

References and Footnotes

Reflections on this keynote talk by Deb Halliday
On Being
What is the On Being Project to read the “Enough of us…” poem/statement
John Paul Lederach
Where Life is Precious, life is precious, with Ruth Wilson Gilmore
Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown
Tending Joy and Practicing Delight, with Ross Gay
“Joy Is the Justice We Give Ourselves.” A Poem by J. Drew Lanham
Pathfinding Through the Improbable with J. Drew Lanham
Where does it hurt, with Ruby Sales
Collective Change Lab
The Relational Work of Systems Change, Stanford Social Innovation Review
Leading from Languishing to Beloved Community, with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
To be a Healer, with Vivek Murthy
Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Imani Barbarin: Creating Accessible Spaces for Belonging

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:38:03 +0000

What does it mean to create truly accessible spaces within your collective work?

At the 2023 Collective Impact Action Summit, we explored this question and more in a keynote conversation with Imani Barbarin (Crutches and Spice), who is a disability and inclusion activist, speaker and content creator.

In this fireside chat, Imani Barbarin and Miya Cain (FSG) discuss what components can create a truly accessible culture of Belonging, including how directly addressing the inequities experienced by disabled people is necessary to reach broader societal change. They also explore the long impact of the Covid pandemic, and how the intersection of multiple identities is important to understand when building accessible spaces.

Preceding this discussion, we’re delighted to share a spoken word performance by artist and facilitator Kayla Brooks, titled 'You Belong Here'. Introducing both Kayla’s performance and the following keynote discussion is Cindy Santos, Senior Associate at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions.

Footnotes and References

Crutches and Spice website and on TikTok, Crutches_and_spice
Read Reflections from the Action Summit on Accessibility and Belonging by Ajai Scott (FSG) for highlights and reflections from this keynote.
Podcast: Narrative Change and Disability with Imani Barbarin
Blog: Navigating Consent and Allyship by Tracy Timmons-Gray, Collective Impact Forum
The Curb-Cut Effect by Angela Glover Blackwell, Stanford Social Innovation Review
Disability Visibility Project–an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture, founded by Alice Wong
Autistic Self Advocacy Network–an advocacy organization run by and for people on the autism spectrum, founded by Ari Ne’eman
Sins Invalid: a disability justice performance project
Disability Scoop: the largest news organization in the nation covering developmental disabilities, founded by Michelle Diament and Shaun Heasley
A Disability History of the United States, by Kim E. Nielsen
Black Disability Politics, by Dr. Sami Schalk
Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, by Judith Heumann

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Creating Purposeful Spaces of Inclusion and Belonging: A Conversation with Ruchika Tulshyan

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:36:39 +0000

What does it mean to create a culture of “belonging” within your collective work?

At the 2023 Collective Impact Action Summit, we explored this question and more in a keynote conversation with Ruchika Tulshyan, award-winning inclusion strategist, speaker, and author of the bestselling book, Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work.

In this fireside chat, Ruchika Tulshyan and Melody Barnes (Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions) discussed practices that can support and operationalize inclusive, equity-centered collaborative cultures. They also shared about the importance of elevating the voices of women of color and those historically underestimated within collaborative work.

References and Footnotes

Watch the video or read a transcript of this keynote conversation
Read the blog post Creating Purposeful Spaces of Inclusion and Belonging by Ajai Scott for highlights and reflections from this keynote.
Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work by Ruchika Tulshyan
Candour
PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute)
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey, Harvard Business Review
The Curb-Cut Effect by Angela Glover Blackwell, Stanford Social Innovation Review

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Strengthening Relationships through a Community of Practice

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 22:01:01 +0000

Communities of practice are a valuable way of bringing partners together to connect and learn from each other to strengthen their collective work. It can also be very challenging to navigate the complexities that come with bringing a wide spectrum of partners together.

Founded in 2020, the Healthy Food Community of Practice has become a space for connection, learning, resource sharing, and action centered around the goal of helping to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) and communities kept furthest from power, can access and consume healthy food. Since launching three years ago, the Healthy Food Community of Practice has learned a lot from their members about how to better connect with one another, support each other, and create opportunities for collective action and innovation.

To share about what they have learned so far, we hear from Taylor Thompson (Intertribal Agriculture Council), who is a member of the community of practice, and Carolina Ramirez and Kaylyn Williams (Community Wealth Partners), who support the facilitation of the Community of Practice. They share about the key elements that have helped connect a very diverse group of participants, as well as what has been most helpful to support building trust and stronger relationships across their membership.

References and Footnotes

Healthy Food Community of Practice – Contact healthyfood@communitywealth.com to learn more.
Article: Secrets to Success in Engaging Broad, Diverse Stakeholders for Transformational Change: Insights from the Healthy Food Community of Practice
Intertribal Agriculture Council – contact info@indianag.org to learn more.
Community Wealth Partners
Resource: Sharing Power with Communities: A Field Guide

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Learning to Share Power Within an Organization

Thu, 8 Jun 2023 18:52:30 +0000

In this episode, we explore the topic of sharing power, which is a key component and strategy when advancing equity in collective impact work. But what can sharing power look like in practice? How are decisions made, and how is power distributed amongst a broad set of colleagues?

To explore this topic, we learn about the work of Civic Canopy, a nonprofit that focuses on supporting collaborative efforts across Colorado. As part of their own commitments to supporting equity within their work, the Civic Canopy team took an intentional look within, and explored how they could share leadership and power across their organization.

Joining us for this conversation to share about Civic Canopy’s journey so far, we hear from Bill Fulton, Kale McMonagle, and Alice Pugh. They discuss how organizational structures and processes have changed within their work, what challenges they’ve encountered, and what they have learned so far about sharing power across roles.

References and Footnotes

Civic Canopy

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Centering Parent Voice and Leadership to Support Early Relational Health

Thu, 25 May 2023 23:26:27 +0000

In this episode, we learn about how to build and strengthen partnerships with parent leaders so that the wide spectrum of parent voices and needs are kept at the center when supporting early relational health for families.

To explore this topic and more, we learn from the national collective Nurture Connection and how their partnership with a diverse group of parent leaders has helped evolve and advance their work to support early relational health for all families. Joining us for this conversation are Claudia Aristy, Bryn Fortune, Mia Halthon, and Becky Jaques Hasak. They discuss how centering parent voices has been key to the work as well as what challenges they have encountered and worked through along the way.

Resources and Footnotes

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building Collective Power to Strengthen Collaboration

Thu, 11 May 2023 21:21:27 +0000

In this episode, we talk about building “collective power,” including what it means to build collective power and what factors can contribute to building it.

To explore those questions and more, we learn about the Child Care NEXT coalition and how through advocacy work, they have developed a culture of collective power amongst their wide spectrum of partners and advocates. Joining us for this conversation is Alissa Marchant from Innovation Network and Jacy Montoya Price from Alliance for Early Success. They discuss several of the factors that have been most helpful in supporting a culture of collective power, and what challenges they have faced along the way.

References and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Supporting a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration – Part 2

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 01:00:08 +0000

This episode is the second part of a two-part discussion that explores what practices can help a collaborative be more sustainable and resilient. For part 2, we welcome back our colleagues from the Tamarack Institute, Liz Weaver and Mike Des Jardins, who recently authored a new, free-to-access resource called “10: A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration.” In this second part, we discuss the practices and resources that can help support resiliency for collective impact efforts. Interviewing Liz and Mike for this conversation is Collective Impact Forum executive director Jennifer Splansky Juster.

Resources and Footnotes

Part 1 of this discussion

10: A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration

Sustainability Self-Assessment

Webinar: How to Support a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration

How Field Catalysts Accelerate Collective Impact

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Supporting a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration – Part 1

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 21:54:06 +0000

This episode is the first of a two-part discussion that explores what practices can help a collaborative be more sustainable and resilient. For this conversation, we welcome our colleagues from the Tamarack Institute, Liz Weaver and Mike Des Jardins, who recently authored a new, free-to-access resource called “10: A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration.” In this first part, we discuss tips, stories, and resources that support sustainability practices for collective impact efforts. Interviewing Liz and Mike for this conversation is Collective Impact Forum executive director Jennifer Splansky Juster.

Resources and Footnotes

10: A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration

Sustainability Self-Assessment

Webinar: How to Support a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration

How Field Catalysts Accelerate Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Trusting the Messiness in Collective Impact

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 22:35:39 +0000

In this episode, we talk about “trusting the messiness,” and how one can balance navigating partnerships and managing expectations while participating in a long-term complex collaboration.

To explore those questions and more, we learn about the collective impact work supported by Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society which is based in Calgary, Canada. Joining us from Sagesse are Carrie McManus and Andrea Silverstone who share how organizational values help them navigate through complex work, conversations, and decision-making. They also explore what to consider when expectations and experiences may differ between partners, and how to work through these situations.

References and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Exploring How to Use the New Racial Equity Toolkit

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:38:31 +0000

We have a deep dive discussion about a new resource called the Racial Equity Toolkit that’s free to download and available now in the Collective Impact Forum library. The Racial Equity Toolkit is designed to support backbone staff and partners to operationalize racial equity throughout their collective impact work. We talk with toolkit authors Dominique Samari and Paul Schmitz about what’s in the toolkit and the ways that teams can explore it to advance their own equity work.

References and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

How to Collaborate in Polarized Times

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 22:35:52 +0000

In this episode, we share a discussion from this spring’s 2022 Collective Impact Action Summit. This discussion explored ways to better collaborate across differences, including different experiences and ideologies, and specifically, how funders could support grantees and partners when bridging across divides, especially in times of deep polarization and turmoil.

Joining this discussion is Kristen Cambell (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement - PACE), Wendy Feliz (American Immigration Council), Andrew Hanauer (One America Movement), and Ted Johnson (Brennan Center for Justice). Introducing this discussion is Cindy Santos, (Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions.)

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript of this discussion
Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement - PACE
American Immigration Council
One America Movement
Brennan Center for Justice
Bridging Civic Divides essay series by Decker Ngongang for PACE
Complicating the Narrative, a discussion series from CEP and PACE
Philanthropy Needs to Own Up to its Role in Fueling Polarization, Suzette Brooks Masters, The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Ted Johnson’s book When the Stars Begin to Fall and this interview he did with Daniel Stid
Ukrainian Leaders Show the Power of a Story to Move Policy. Immigration Advocates Should Take Note, Wendy Feliz in the Chronicle of Philanthropy
New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World–and How to Make It Work for You by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms
Amanda Ripley’s book: High Conflict and this conversation she did with PACE
The Other Divide by Yanna Krupnikov and John Barry Ryan
The works of Danielle S. Allen
Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity by Lilliana Mason

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Leading From 'Languishing' to Beloved Community with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:43:16 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, who serves as President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund. Dr. Wilson reflects on the challenging times that many of us are experiencing, and the ways we can reground ourselves and move forward, so that we can shift from states of languishing, disconnection, and numbness to a place where we can better connect to ourselves, our purpose, and our communities.

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript of this talk

Children's Defense Fund

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

The Power of Parent Engagement

Wed, 8 Jun 2022 23:17:46 +0000

Parents can be powerful advocates in supporting the wellbeing of children and families in their community. But sometimes collaboratives and organizations that focus on supporting children struggle with building and maintaining parent engagement and authentic power shifting and sharing with parents.

In this podcast conversation, we learn about the parent engagement work of Child Safety Forward in Hartford, CT - one of five demonstration sites for the federal demonstration initiative Child Safety Forward. In the discussion, we learn about how the Hartford project has worked with parents to become more comfortable owning and exercising their power – all in service of building a Child and Family Wellbeing System where child protection agencies, community partners, neighbors, and families share a responsibility to ensure children thrive. Joining this discussion to share what they’ve learned are Chavon Campbell and Regina Dyton (Child Safety Forward) and parent advocates Georgina Fuentes and Kayla Waters.

Resources and Footnotes

Child Safety Forward

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building Community Authority in Place-Based Collaboration

Thu, 2 Jun 2022 00:01:45 +0000

What is “community authority,” and what are ways to authentically build it within place-based collaborative work? In this new podcast discussion, we learn how one group in Northeast Oklahoma City changed course and reset their collective work so that they could better partner with community members and embed community authority as a part of the collaborative process.

In this discussion, we hear from Matt Biggar (Connected to Place), Vanessa Morrison (Open Design Collective), and naturalist Sean Washington as they share what they’ve learned while working with the Edwards Property Collaborative, a group working together on the future of large tract of land in Northeast Oklahoma City. We learn what happened when the original project process changed directions to better address the community’s history and desires, and how design tools like the BlackSpace Manifesto have served the group in rebuilding community trust.

Resources and Footnotes

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Mobilizing Innovative Partnerships for Community Investment

Thu, 19 May 2022 23:14:13 +0000

How can community anchor institutions, like hospitals, help launch and strengthen community investment initiatives?

In this episode, we learn about how Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the nonprofit housing organization Healthy Homes worked to support affordable housing and home repair in Columbus, Ohio. Through their work building deeper community connections and accountability, they saw real progress and real community outcomes in their Columbus neighborhoods.

Sharing their experiences and what they learned through this partnership are Nora Bloch of Center for Community Investment, and Patrice Allen Brady and Gretchen West of Healthy Homes.

If you’ve been wondering how community anchor institutions can be supportive partners in building stronger communities or how to harness new, untapped forms of community investment capital, we recommend listening in.

Resources and Footnotes:

Healthy Homes

Center for Community Investment

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building System Leadership Skills with Advance Together

Thu, 5 May 2022 22:43:42 +0000

What kinds of dedicated skill-building can help prepare system leaders for the monumental job of coordinating complex collaborations?

In this episode, we learn about Advance Together, a cohort of collective impact initiatives in Texas that focus on education and workforce development. Organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with support from funders including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Advance Together cohort members participated in a capacity-building program dedicated to expanding their system leadership skills.

Listen in as we explore how the program got started, the impact of the program, and the specific system leadership skills that surfaced as most critical for backbone leaders.

Joining us today to share their experiences as part of Advance Together are Rumeli Banik of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Kseniya Benderskaya of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Chris Thompson of Civic Collaboration Consultants, LLC, and Adrian Vega of Education Partnership for the Permian Basin. Moderating this discussion is Collective Impact Forum executive director Jennifer Splansky Juster.

Resources and Footnotes

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Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Exploring Backbone Staffing and Peer Support Models with United Way of Salt Lake

Fri, 8 Apr 2022 02:10:06 +0000

How can a backbone build structures and processes that can better support and retain its staff?

In this new podcast episode, we’re doing a deep dive discussion to learn about the work of United Way of Salt Lake and the Promise Partnership, a cradle-to-career initiative to support Utah youth. In this talk, we learn about the Promise Partnership’s goals and what the team has learned so far from adjusting their staffing models to build in more peer support and mentorship.

To share their experiences with this new staffing model, we hear from Marisol Pérez González, Stephanie Rokich, and Alexis Bucknam from United Way of Salt Lake. They share what they have learned so far trying out this staffing model, and what they recommend to other organizations considering new ways to support backbone staff.

Resources and Footnotes

Promise Partnership
United Way of Salt Lake
Resource: Results-Based Accountability Framework
Article: Embracing Collective Impact at United Way
Podcast: Embracing Collective Impact at United Way

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Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Building Clarity of Purpose with a Project Charter

Fri, 1 Apr 2022 02:25:30 +0000

How can collaboratives build and ensure clarity of purpose as partners work together? In this episode, we’re doing a deep dive discussion into a specific collaboration tool—the project charter—and how this tool can help bring partners together to clarify roles, accountability, and a shared vision.

To share their own experiences using a project charter within their work partnering together, we hear from Staci Anderson, Angie Medina, and Rachel Minnick from PRO Youth and Families, and Keya Bell and Shakeya Bell from IQSquad. They share what they have learned supporting youth in Sacramento, CA, and how tools like a project charter can bring clarity and support mutual understanding within partnerships.

Find a link to access a project charter template and more resources in the episode notes.

Resources and Footnotes

Download a Project Charter Template on our website.

Youth and Family Collective

PRO Youth and Families

Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown

Impact Networks by David Ehrlichman

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The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Core Principles to Support Anti-Racism in Collective Impact

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 03:19:13 +0000

In this episode, Collective Impact Forum senior advisor Junious Williams talks with Erika Bernabei and Theo Miller who co-lead the consulting group Equity and Results. Erika and Theo share what they’ve learned supporting organizations that want to embed anti-racism practices in their collective impact work. They also discuss a set of core principles that can help guide collective impact initiatives that want to go deeper into their racial equity work.

Resources and Footnotes

Resource: Equity & Results
Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact
Webinar: Centering Equity in Collective Impact
Article: Interview: Bringing an Anti-Racist Approach to Collective Impact
Resource: Targeted Universalism
Article: The Curb-Cut Effect

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Avoiding the 10 Dangers to Collective Impact

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray) — Fri, 4 Mar 2022 04:35:05 +0000

In this episode, Collective Impact Forum senior advisor Paul Schmitz shares what he’s learned through supporting many collective impact initiatives, including some specific challenges that he has seen repeatedly come up and block progress. We dive into the dangers to avoid and also explore three key lessons that can help navigate through these challenges.

This chat is jumping off of Paul’s recent article “10 Dangers to Collective Impact,” which was featured online in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and is part of the online series Collective Impact, 10 Years Later.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: 10 Dangers to Collective Impact
Series: Collective Impact, 10 Years Later
Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact
Article: The Culture of Collective Impact
Book: New Power
Book: Dare to Lead
Tool: TRIZ

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Strategies for Using Data Effectively

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 17:39:22 +0000

In our new episode of the Collective Impact Forum podcast, we’re talking with Justin Piff from Equal Measure about his recent article Data in Collective Impact: Focusing on What Matters. This piece was featured online in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and is part of the online series Collective Impact, 10 Years Later. In this chat, we talk about four key strategies for understanding and using data effectively to support collective impact work as well as ways collective impact funders can serve as a valuable data partner for initiatives.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: Data in Collective Impact: Focusing on What Matters

Series: Collective Impact, 10 Years Later

Resource: OYF Evaluation and Assessment

Report: Equity Counts: Using Data to Increase Equity and Improve Metric Outcomes for Opportunity Youth

Webinar: Evaluating Systems Change Efforts: Where to Start

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

How Collective Impact Funders Can Build Trust

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (FSG) — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 04:24:35 +0000

What are ways that funders can foster trust and support relationships with community partners? In this episode, Fay Hanleybrown, John Harper, and Victor Tavarez of FSG stop by the podcast to share from their own experiences supporting funders doing place-based work. In the discussion, they highlight four key practices that are effective in building and sustaining trust with community partners.

Listeners can check out more in the recent article that Victor, Fay, and John wrote, titled, “How Funders of Collective Impact Initiatives Can Build Trust,” that was featured online in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and is part of the online series Collective Impact, 10 Years Later.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: How Funders of Collective Impact Can Build Trust

Series: Collective Impact, 10 Years Later

Report: Being the Change

Report: Advancing Funders’ Openness Practices: Lessons for the Field from the Collective Impact Funder Action Learning Lab

Resource: Power Moves

Resource: Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power

Resource: Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

More on Collective Impact

Roundtable Discussion: Embracing Collective Impact at United Way

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 14:18:07 +0000

In this episode, we feature an unabridged roundtable discussion amongst a group of leaders who are part of United Way organizations from across the United States. In this talk, we get to hear what they have learned using the collective impact approach for collaborative, place-based change, and how they have seen their roles transition from a traditional funder role to that of a connected and collaborative community partner. Leading this discussion is Ayeola Fortune who serves as interim senior vice president for impact at United Way Worldwide. Joining Ayeola Fortune is Bill Crim, who is president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake, Regina Greer, who is chief impact officer at United Way of Greater St. Louis, and Jill Pereira, who is vice president of education and impact at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

This roundtable was conducted as part of an online series published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, which explores the collective impact movement 10 years after the original article was published in SSIR.

Resources and Footnotes

More on Collective Impact

Roundtable Discussion: Reflecting on Collective Impact for Place-Based Social Change

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 14:01:02 +0000

In September 2021, Melody Barnes, chair of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, led a conversation with four social change leaders who for more than a decade have used collective impact to create collaborative, place-based change. Participants included Jennifer Blatz, president and CEO of StriveTogether, a national network of local communities striving to achieve racial equity and economic mobility, supporting the success of every child from cradle to career; Geoffrey Canada, founder and president of Harlem Children’s Zone and the recently launched William Julius Wilson Center, nonprofits working to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds opportunities for children, families, and communities; Rosanne Haggerty, president and chief executive officer of Community Solutions, a nonprofit working to achieve a lasting end to homelessness; and Erik Stegman, chief executive officer of Native Americans in Philanthropy, an organization promoting increased and equitable investments in tribal communities that align with Indigenous values.

During this roundtable, the participants discussed how their years of experience with collective impact has evolved and what they have learned that will carry them into the next decade of collaborative work to improve communities. This discussion is an unabridged version of an article shared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled Reflecting on Collective Impact for Place-Based Social Change.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact

Bringing an Anti-Racist Approach to Collective Impact: Interview with Dr. Zea Malawa

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Miya Cain, Zea Malawa) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:57:26 +0000

How can the collective impact approach put anti-racism at the center of its work? How can collective impact work authentically center Black and Pacific Islander families, as it focuses on improving infant and maternal health? In this podcast interview, FSG Senior Consultant Miya Cain, MPH, explores these questions and more with the Executive Director of Expecting Justice, Zea Malawa, MD, MPH, building on their time working together on the early stages of the initiative. This interview is an unbridged version of an article shared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled Bringing an Anti-Racist Approach to Collective Impact.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact

Expecting Justice

Resource: Racial Equity Impact Assessment (Race Forward)

Resource: White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun

More on Collective Impact

Strategies to Support Centering Equity in Collective Impact

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:13:32 +0000

In this episode, we’re talking about the findings from a new article in the winter 2022 edition of the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled, "Centering Equity in Collective Impact." We’re doing a “behind the writing” deep-dive discussion with several of the articles’ authors to hear about what lessons they learned from collaboratives who are practicing deep equity work, and what strategies arose through the process. Moderating this discussion is Cindy Santos of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, and joining Cindy for this chat are article coauthors Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, and Paul Schmitz.

Resources and Footnotes

Find a transcript of this episode here.

Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact (Stanford Social Innovation Review)

Blog: Redefining Collective Impact

Article The Water of Systems Change

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Connecting to Community Organizing and Advocacy with Frontline Solutions

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 22:18:42 +0000

How can collective impact initiatives leverage advocacy and community organizing to create more equitable systems and policy outcomes? In this episode we look into the findings of the new research study Rebalancing Power: Examining the Role of Advocacy and Organizing in Collective Impact. In this candid “behind the research” discussion, Rebalancing Power coauthor Brian Kennedy and Frontline Solutions senior partner and founder Marcus Littles discuss the report’s recommendations, research methodology, and notable takeaways from the team’s interviews with collective impact practitioners, funders, and community organizers.

Resources and Footnotes

Rebalancing Power: Examining the Role of Organizing and Advocacy in Collective Impact
Blog: Lessons in Examining the Role of Advocacy and Organizing in Collective Impact
Frontline Solutions
Book: Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story by Timothy B. Tyson
Webinar: How to Embed Equity Practices in Collective Impact Virtual Office Hour with Junious Williams
Video and Transcript: Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

How Funders Can Embrace the Original Collective Impact

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 22:59:05 +0000

We share a deep dive discussion on the topic on how funders can support frontline community organizing and activism. This discussion was part of this past spring’s 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit. In this deep dive, we explore lessons learned from communities organizing for transformational change, and how funders can cede power effectively to better support community efforts.

Participating in this discussion is Aaron Dorfman of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Kiyomi Fujikawa of Third Wave Fund, Tamieka Mosley of Grantmakers for Southern Progress, and Erik Stegman of Native Americans in Philanthropy. Introducing the discussion is my colleague Sheri Brady.

Footnotes and Resources

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Join Us at Our Upcoming Virtual Office Hours this September

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Tracy Timmons-Gray) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 21:19:00 +0000

Hello, Collective Impact Forum listeners! Appreciate your patience as we prep our next podcast release, but before then we wanted to drop by and invite you to our upcoming virtual office hours. Virtual office hours are like a really informal webinar where we answer your questions about a specific topic. It’s kind of like a live podcast recording.

Our next virtual office hour is on September 1 at 3pm Eastern, where we will answer questions around how to embed equity practices in collective impact and after that, the next one is on Sept. 8 at 3pm Eastern where we will answer questions about how to manage differences and difficult conversations.

For regular podcast listeners, you will definitely recognize our office hour guests Jennifer Splansky Juster, Junious Williams, and Paul Schmitz, who have been part of many of our episodes. Attending is free, and if you can’t make it, if you register, we will send you a copy of the recording after, normally within a day of the event. We’d love for you to join us, and to find out more and register, just visit the events page of our website at collectiveimpactforum.org.

Collective Impact Forum Upcoming Events

Music: The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

Shifting Power with Participatory Grantmaking

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 01:27:24 +0000

We’re sharing a deep dive discussion on the topic of participatory grantmaking that was part of this past spring’s 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit. In this deep dive, we explore what is participatory grantmaking, how is it different from more traditional approaches to philanthropy, and how does this approach shift decision-making power to communities, putting them in charge of funding the solutions they want to see. Participating in this discussion is Bonnie Chiu of The Social Investment Consultancy, Melanie Kawano-Chiu of the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund, Hannah Paterson of The National Lottery Community Fund, and Meg Massey of Sanspeur, who is also co-author of the book Letting Go: How Philanthropists and Impact Investors Can Do More Good By Giving Up Control. Introducing the discussion is my colleague Sheri Brady.

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript of this talk

Book: Letting Go

Report: Deciding Together

Report: Grassroots grantmaking: embedding participatory approaches in funding

Resource: PGM Community of Practice

Resource: Disability Rights Advocacy Fund Theory of Change

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Narrative Change and Disability with Imani Barbarin

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 01:50:43 +0000

traIn this episode, we’re sharing a conversation from the 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit that was held this past spring. During this session, we talk with disability justice advocate Imani Barbarin (Crutches and Spice) about the various narratives that affect disabled folk in the U.S. and what measures we can take to better support disabled folks on our teams and in our communities.

Resources and Footnotes

Read a transcript of this talk

Crutches and Spice website and on TikTok, Crutches_and_spice

Resource: Disability & Philanthropy Forum

Blog: Navigating Consent and Allyship

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Collective Impact in Rural Communities with Deb Halliday

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 21:24:20 +0000

We’re diving into the topic of what does it mean to do collective impact work in more rural areas. Collective Impact Forum executive director Jennifer Splansky Juster chats with Deb Halliday of Halliday and Associates about what can be helpful to consider when working in a cross-sector collaborative that supports rural communities.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: 100 Cups of Coffee

Webinar: Lessons Learned from Rural Collective Impact Efforts in Montana

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Sonya Renee Taylor: 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit Keynote

Thu, 8 Jul 2021 22:29:31 +0000

This episode features a powerful keynote address by author, entrepreneur, poet, and activist Sonya Renee Taylor that was part of the 2021 Collective Impact Convening this past April. Building off of her work in her book The Body is Not an Apology, Sonya Renee Taylor discusses key questions about how we view ourselves and each other, how we judge who is worthy of acceptance and justice, and how we can break out of systems that tell us that the only way to survive is to devalue others.

Preceding this talk, poet Tara Hardy shares her poem Buses Stop.

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript of this talk

The Body is Not an Apology

103 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

My, My, My, My, My by Tara Hardy

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Rev. Dr. William Barber: 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit Keynote

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 23:36:12 +0000

In this powerful address from the 2021 Collective Impact Convening, Rev. Dr. William Barber (Repairers of the Breach) issues a call to action to not return to the “normal” of pre-covid, and to recognize the systemic inequities that existed before and contributed to why the pandemic has had such a devastating impact on so many people and communities. Rev. Dr. Barber describes that what’s needed now is for folks to come together, and through the strengths of coalitions, work to challenge these systemic inequities that have existed for too long.

Preceding this talk, poet Azura Tyabji shares her poem Allegiance. This session was held on April 27, 2021.

Resources

Video and Transcript: Opening Keynote by Rev. Dr. William Barber

Pain and Poverty in America

Repairers of the Breach: http://www.breachrepairers.org/

Poor People's Campaign: https://vote.poorpeoplescampaign.org

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

The Role of Narrative Change in Collective Action

Thu, 27 May 2021 00:33:09 +0000

This episode features a dynamic discussion from the 2021 Collective Impact Action Summit, and focuses on the importance of narrative in collective social change efforts. This discussion is led by Melody Barnes of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, and features Crystal Echo Hawk from IllumiNative, Rashad Robinson from Color of Change, and Nayantara Sen from Real Food Real Stories.

This discussion is introduced by Sheri Brady of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions and includes a poetry performance beforehand by Seattle poet, organizer and attorney Troy Osaki.

Resources and Footnotes:

Troy Osaki

Video and Transcript: The Role of Narrative Change in Collective Action (Collective Impact Forum)

Building Narrative Power (Color of Change)

IllumiNative Insights and Actions Guide (IllumiNative)

Making Waves: A Guide to Cultural Strategy (The Culture Group)

Cultural Strategy: An Introduction and Primer (Art/Work Practice and Power California)

Stolen Land, Stolen Bodies, and Stolen Stories (Stanford Social Innovation Review)

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

The Power of Community-Led Data Gathering with the Center for Native American Youth

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 22:57:17 +0000

Nikki Pitre and Kendra Becenti from the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute share about their work on the recent Indigenous Futures Survey project, a comprehensive survey, and the first of its kind, with thousands of participants across 401 tribes and 50 states. Nikki and Kendra share about what they learned through this survey project, including the immense impact of interviewing both youth and elders, and the importance of having community members lead in community data gathering.

Resources and Footnotes

Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute

Indigenous Futures Project

More on Collective Impact

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Building Transformative Partnerships with ROC the Future

Wed, 7 Apr 2021 22:33:24 +0000

In this episode, we chat with Jackie Campbell, who serves as Executive Director of ROC the Future, a collective impact education initiative that’s part of the Strive Together Network and is based in Rochester, NY. Listen in to hear how ROC the Future takes a systems lens to their work with youth, including supporting their community through the ongoing COVID pandemic and racial justice reckonings as well as uplifting parents as leading partners for their kids’ education needs.

Resources and Footnotes

ROC the Future: https://rocthefuture.org/

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

What is the Role of the Backbone in Collective Impact?

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 23:06:55 +0000

What does it mean to play the backbone role for a collective impact initiative? What approaches to identifying the backbone tend to set the work up for success? In this episode, we’re focusing on the various ways the backbone works, and a few things to avoid when establishing a new backbone role.

Featuring Jennifer Splansky Juster, Robert Albright, and Tracy Timmons-Gray.

Resources and Footnotes

Report: When Collective Impact Has Impact: A Cross-Site Study of 25 Collective Impact Initiatives

Resource: Backbone Starter Guide: A Summary of Major Resources about the Backbone

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

How Do You Sustain Your Initiative Over the Long Term?

Wed, 3 Mar 2021 22:57:21 +0000

How do you sustain momentum over the long-term when doing collaborative work? For many collective impact initiatives, there can be a far horizon to see actual long-term population-level results- like 5 or 10 years for a project (or longer.) Change can take a long time, and because of that, an added challenge is just keeping people motivated, keeping partners at the table, or figuring out how to fund a long-term initiative when grant funding may not continue after a year or two. So what do you do? If these big social change goals take a long time to become reality, how do we get there? In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive discussion to talk about seven factors that can support an initiative’s long-term sustainability.

Featuring Jennifer Splansky Juster, Robert Albright, and Tracy Timmons-Gray.

Resources and Footnotes

Paper: Sustaining Community-Based Programs: Relationships Between Sustainability Factors and Program Results by Dr. Lydia I. Marek and Dr. Jay A. Mancini

Tool: Sustaining Collective Impact Efforts (Tamarack Institute)

Resource: Guide to Evaluating Collective Impact

Case Study: Collective Impact in Emergency Response: A Case Study of Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Civic Response Team

Podcast: Together Through Crisis: A Case Study of Milwaukee’s COVID Civic Response

Blog: The Baker’s Dilemma and the inequity of restricted funding

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits

Tool: The Eco-Cycle Mapping Tool

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Transformational Change with John Kania and Juanita Zerda of Collective Change Lab

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:11:24 +0000

In this episode, Collective Impact Forum executive director Jennifer Splansky Juster is in conversation with John Kania and Juanita Zerda of the social impact organization Collective Change Lab. Jen, John, and Juanita discuss what are some of the key qualities and practices needed when working to achieve long-term systems change.

Resources and Footnotes

The Water of Systems Change

Collective Change Lab

More on the Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

How to Keep Learning During a Crisis

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Joelle Cook, Hallie Preskill) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 01:36:30 +0000

In this discussion, we hear from FSG's Hallie Preskill and Joelle Cook, who share advice, recommendations, and concrete ideas on how to continue to keep learning about how our collaborative work is going, even during times of prolonged crisis like the pandemic.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: Learning in a Time of Crisis

Resource: Facilitating Intentional Group Learning: A Practical Guide to 21 Learning Activities

Tool: Appreciative Inquiry

Together Through Crisis: A Case Study of Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Civic Response

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Paul Schmitz) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 03:17:54 +0000

In this interview with Forum senior advisor Paul Schmitz, we hear about the formation and experiences of Milwaukee’s Civic Response team during the first months of the pandemic and learn about the city’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis. Along the way, Paul shares the lessons learned about how collective impact efforts can be most effective in both meeting emergency needs and pursuing long-term systems change.

Resources and Footnotes

Case Study: Collective Impact in Emergency Response: A Case Study of Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Civic Response Team

Webinar: Collective Impact in Emergency Response: A Virtual Discussion on Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Civic Response Team

Resource: Targeted Universalism: Policy & Practice

Podcast: john a. powell - Operationalizing Equity in Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Partners in Conflict

Wed, 7 Oct 2020 23:52:05 +0000

In this roundtable discussion, we focus on questions around how to collaborate when there may be conflicts between partners, whether it’s conflicting schedules, motivations, or values, and what to consider when those conflicts come up. This discussion includes what to consider when partnering with law enforcement, how to sort through conflicting community meeting needs, and the challenges of finding common ground when everything seems polarized.

Featuring Sheri Brady, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Video and Transcript: Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact

Podcast: Marshall Ganz - Community Organizing and Collective Impact

Book: Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Bridging the “Generation Gap” for Collective Impact

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:11:16 +0000

We often talk about bringing together people and organizations from different sectors to do collaborative work, but it is also essential to bring folks from different generations into the conversation. What are the common differences we see across generations when working in collaboration, and how can we work through these challenges?

Joining this cross-generational conversation on collective and community work is Sheri Brady, Ana Taukolo, and Junious Williams. This discussion was originally hosted at the Champions for Change virtual workshop on September 16, 2020.

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

How do you form a Common Agenda?

Mon, 7 Sep 2020 21:18:32 +0000

How does one go about creating a “common agenda” with collaborative partners? In this deep dive episode, we explore the components of the common agenda, including what to think about when forming one, and what to consider when these current uncertain times might affect how your common agenda moves forward. Featuring Jennifer Splansky Juster, Rpbert Albright, and Tracy Timmons-Gray.

Resources and Footnotes

Report: When Collective Impact has an Impact: A Cross-Site Study of 25 Collective Impact Initiatives

Podcast: Getting Started – What is Collective Impact?

Podcast: Top things to consider when launching a new collective impact effort

Podcast: Key Factors to Support a Succesful Collaborative

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Building Trust among Partners and Sharing Credit

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 23:39:56 +0000

What does it mean to be a “good partner?” In this roundtable discussion, we discuss community questions around how to support and assess partnerships, and what does it really look like to share credit among multiple partners in a collaborative.

Featuring Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Article: Turf, Trust, Co-Creation & Collective Impact

Tool: TRIZ

Blog: Lessons Learned from our Conversations with Experienced Backbone Leaders

Report: When Collective Impact has an Impact: A Cross-Site Study of 25 Collective Impact Initiatives

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Holding Hard Conversations and Moving Beyond Neutrality

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 22:55:09 +0000

In this roundtable discussion, we continue discussing community questions about how to support anti-racism within our work, and specifically diving into how to host hard conversations when everyone is gathering virtually, and what to consider when the focus of your work feels separate from race and racial equity. Featuring Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Resource: Covid, Race, and the Revolution from PolicyLink

Blog: Have nonprofit and philanthropy become the “white moderate” that Dr. King warned us about? By Vu Le (Nonprofit AF)

Book: Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl

Opinion: Together, You can Redeem the Soul of the Nation by John Lewis

Video: Congressman John Lewis' Funeral Service In Georgia (Time)

Podcast: Allies and Co-Conspirators: Stepping up to support Anti-Racism from the Collective Impact Forum

Blog: 116 Organizations Driving Change by MacKenzie Scott

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Allies and Co-Conspirators: Stepping up to support Anti-Racism

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:02:50 +0000

In this roundtable discussion, we address some questions from Forum community members about how to support anti-racism work, and specifically exploring the question of what does it mean to be an ally to others, and how to use one’s own privilege to forward anti-racism efforts. Featuring Robert Albright, Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog; Beyond Seats at the Table: Equity, Inclusion, and Collective Impact - Video and Transcript

Book: Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas

TV: United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell – Season 4, Ep. 2: Not All White People.

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Collaborating during COVID-19

Mon, 6 Jul 2020 19:25:10 +0000

In this roundtable discussion, we address some questions from Forum community members about how our collaborative work is affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting exhausted community partners, figuring out how to build engagement around a new initiative during the pandemic, and how to keep long-term goals while meeting immediate needs. Featuring Robert Albright, Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Resource: Community Engagement Toolkit

Blog: Learning in a Time of Crisis

Blog: Scenario Thinking for an Unpredictable Year: Status Quo is Not an Option

Tool: Reimagining Strategy in the Context of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Triage Tool

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits

Podcast: Managing Change in Rapidly Changing Times

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Reflecting on this Moment and What’s Ahead

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 18:48:24 +0000

In this roundtable discussion, we reflect on what’s been happening with the pandemic, the economy, and the protests to support Black lives, the impact we’re seeing, and what does it mean to look ahead when the future seems so unknown. Featuring Robert Albright, Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: Scenario Thinking for an Unpredictable Year: Status Quo is Not an Option

Tool: Reimagining Strategy in the Context of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Triage Tool

How Philanthropy Can Help Support Communities During Covid-19

Fri, 3 Apr 2020 20:46:13 +0000

In this interview, Dr. Lauren Smith, Co-CEO of FSG, shares key recommendations for how funders can support grantees now during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how their programs may evolve when supporting the needs of communities post-pandemic.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: COVID-19⁠—Seven Things Philanthropy Can Do by Lauren A. Smith

Blog: Foundations: Use Your Balance Sheet to Help by Mark Kramer

More related to dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Podcast: Managing Change in Rapidly Changing Times (Office Hour 1)

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Managing Change in Rapidly Changing Times (Office Hour 1)

Wed, 1 Apr 2020 23:55:37 +0000

In response to the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affects so much of our lives, the Forum is hosting weekly virtual office hours that looks at your questions related to how to manage change right now- whether it’s change in your work, or your relationships, or even how to work right now. We’ll be sharing the audio from those virtual office hours so listeners of the podcast can also receive this support.

In this episode, we’re featuring the audio from our virtual office hour that was held on March 26, 2020 and includes a conversation with Executive Director of the Collective Impact Forum Jennifer Splansky Juster and Senior Advisor to the Collective Impact Forum Paul Schmitz.

One note for listeners. This audio is edited from the original version so it’s more catered to an audio-only audience. For any resources referenced in this episode, including tools and articles, we’ve included links to those in the footnotes for this episode, so feel free to check those out if it’s helpful.

Footnotes

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits
Video and Presentation: Managing Change in (Rapidly) Changing Times
Blog: Things are not normal. It’s OK to not be OK.
Guide: Tamarack's Guidelines for Working Remotely
Blog: Ford Foundation - A Message of Support for our Grantees
Pledge: A Call to Action: Philanthropy's Commitment During COVID-19

Marshall Ganz: Community Organizing and Collective Impact

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:00:02 +0000

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote and panel discussion titled, “Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact” that features a talk by Marshall Ganz, who serves as Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Following the keynote is a panel discussion on community organizing in collective impact. Joining Marshall Ganze for this talk is Melody Barnes of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend of Philadelphia Youth Network, Marjorie Parker of JobsFirstNYC, and Marc Philpart of PolicyLink.

Introducing Marshall Ganz is Monique Miles of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions. This talk was held on May 24, 2017 at the 2017 Collective Impact Convening in Boston.

Episode Contents

1:39: Introduction by Monique Miles of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

7:21: Keynote talk by Marshall Ganz

45:43: Panel Discussion

Footnotes and More Resources

Transcript and Video of Marshall Ganz’s keynote

Video of the Panel Discussion “Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact”

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Key Factors to Support a Successful Collaborative

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:20:25 +0000

This episode continues the theme of “Getting Started” in collective impact by focusing on some underlying factors including building relationships and shifting mindsets that can support the long-term success of a collaborative effort.

Episode Contents

1:44: Before diving into these key factors for success, how did we come up with these factors in the first place?

3:44: Four mental model shifts that can be helpful to support a collaborative’s work and long-term sustainability.

17:00: Other “intangible” factors that can support a collaborative’s success, including building a culture of learning, including learning from failure, and supporting a broader understanding of leadership.

22:00: Pitfalls to avoid that can challenge a collaborative’s growth and ability to reach their goal.

Footnotes and Resources:

Resource: Guide to Evaluating Collective Impact

Tools: Facilitating Intentional Group Learning: A Practical Guide to 21 Learning Activities

Webinar: How to Integrate Continuous Learning into Collective Impact

Webinar: Aligning Partners in Collective Impact

Blog: The Three Elements of Continuous Learning: Priorities, Plans, and Culture

The Culture of Collective Impact podcast and blog.

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us through our short listener survey or at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Liz Dozier - Moving from Charity to Justice in Collective Impact

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Liz Dozier) — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 20:04:23 +0000

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote talk titled, “Moving from Charity to Justice in Collective Impact” by Liz Dozier, founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, an impact investor that backs the fight for youth equity. Chicago Beyond exists so that all youth, especially the most vulnerable, will have the opportunity to achieve their fullest human potential.

This talk was held on May 16, 2019 at the 2019 Collective Impact Convening in Chicago.

Footnotes and Resources:

Chicago Beyond

Why am I always being researched?

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Vu Le - Equity, Inclusion, and Collective Impact

tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org (Vu Le, Sheri Brady) — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 23:06:59 +0000

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote talk titled, “Beyond Seats at the Table: Equity, Inclusion, and Collective Impact” that features a talk by Vu Le, founding Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps and author of the blog NonprofitAF.

Introducing Vu Le is Sheri Brady, who serves at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions as well as co-lead of the Collective Impact Forum. This talk was held on April 3, 2018 at the 2018 Collective Impact Convening in Austin.

Due to the original recording, this episode may be heard best with headphones.

Episode Contents

1:05: Introduction by Sheri Brady of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

1:56: Keynote talk by Vu Le

Footnotes and Resources:

Transcript and Video of Vu Le’s talk.

NonprofitAF blog

Rainier Valley Corps

Equity Matters in Collective Impact

Moving Equity from Theory to Practice

Bringing an Equity Lens to Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

john a. powell - Operationalizing Equity in Collective Impact

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:43:44 +0000

In this episode, we’re sharing a 2019 Collective Impact Convening keynote talk titled, “From the “Why” to the “How": Operationalizing Equity in Collective Impact” by Professor john a powell, who serves as Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California Berkeley.

Following the keynote, Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink, joins Professor Powell in a discussion about what’s needed to prioritize equity within collective impact work.

Episode Contents

1:27: Sheri Brady of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions and co-lead of the Collective Impact Forum introduces Professor john a. powell.

4:36: Keynote talk by Professor john a. powell on the topic of “From the Why to the How: Operationalizing Equity for Collective Impact.”

29:47: Sheri Brady introduces and welcomes Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink, to join Professor Powell in a fireside chat.

Footnotes and Resources

Targeted Universalism: Policy and Practice

Equity: The Soul of Collective Impact

Equity Matters in Collective Impact

Getting to Yes: How to Generate Consensus for Targeted Universalism

Moving Equity from Theory to Practice

Bringing an Equity Lens to Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact:

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Top things to consider when launching a new collective impact effort

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 23:34:37 +0000

Jen, Robert, and Tracy go into the topics of getting ready to launch a collective impact effort, including exploring the question of “How do I know if the collective impact approach is the right approach to take for my collaborative?”

Episode Contents:

2:35: Robert and Jen share a few of the conditions that can be helpful to have in place when deciding whether or not to use this approach on a social change issue.

7:48: Jen and Robert discuss what it means to bring in a variety of “interventions,” both relating to single programs and also the overarching system the programs are working in.

11:56: Jen dives into how and when population size matters when planning collaborative work.

14:10: How does collective impact work across issues?

15:59: Does geography play a big role when doing collaborative work?

19:20: Robert and Jen dive into four “readiness factors,” how they affect a collaborative effort, and what happens when some of these factors are hard to put in place.

21:05: Bringing in influential Champions (and how you find them)

25:17: Galvanizing urgency (and what happens when your partners don’t feel that same urgency that you do?)

28:35: Building resources to get started- does that just mean money or does it mean something else? And do you need the resources to get started or can you start in order to get resources?

31:45: Having a history of collaboration- why it can help and what to think about if past collaborations in your community have not worked out well (and what does that mean for future collaborative efforts.)

Footnotes and Resources:

Blog: Is Collective Impact the Right Approach?

Tool: Collective Impact Feasibility Framework

Webinar Video: Building Readiness Through the Collective Impact Feasibility Framework

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Getting Started - What is Collective Impact?

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 21:41:49 +0000

Jen, Robert, and Tracy of the Collective Impact Forum kick off the podcast with a deep-dive into what the term "collective impact" means, and what does it look like in action when partners are working in cross-sector collaboration on complex social change issues.

Episode Contents

2:00: Jen and Robert introduce themselves and the work and history of the Collective Impact Forum, an initiative co-led by FSG and the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

10:40: Jen and Robert define what the term "collective impact" means and how it has become a specific approach towards long-term collaboration for social change.

12:50: What are the five conditions that make up the collective impact approach? Jen and Robert explain, and kick things off with a look at the common agenda.

17:05: Next up is "Mutually Reinforcing Activities." That's quite the term! But what does it really mean? (And why are these activities so important?)

26:00: Next is the condition of Continuous Communication. That sounds pretty straight-forward, but is it really? And what does it look like when you're working in a collaborative?

29:40: Jen and Robert dive into one of the most challenging (yet vital) components when doing collaborative work- Shared Measurement.

34:42: The Backbone - one of the most vital components when working in collaboration, but what does the role of the backbone really entail? Jen and Robert explain and share the variety of ways the backbone can show up when doing the work.

39:30: The Collective Impact Principles of Practice - these principles run across all five conditions, but what do they look like, and how were they formed? Robert explains.

43:25: A lot of what's been discussed around collective impact doesn't seem very "new new," to use Tracy's phrase. Jen discusses how the collective impact approach builds on and draws from decades of collaborative and community work.

References for this episode:

What is Collective Impact? infographic

Getting Started in Collective Impact Resource Page

“Collective Impact” by John Kania and Mark Kramer in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (2011)

One article that Jen references in this episode is The Water of Systems Change.

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at info@collectiveimpactforum.org.