Deception in Microfinance: Is Talk of Mission Just Window Dressing?
Only organizations that place the mission of helping borrowers improve their economic circumstances above profits should be considered microfinance practitioners.
Sectors - Articles
Achieving Greater Impact Through Model-Sharing
Even if another model isn’t quite right, the idea of model-sharing—teaching and learning lessons from others—can be enlightening.
Catalytic Philanthropy Forces Collaboration in Leadership
A look at leadership in the social sector.
No More Master’s Degrees and Reverse Mentoring
Rethinking leadership—a few sources of advice.
Podcast
Peter deCourcy Hero - Beyond 2009: Emerging Trends in Philanthropy
How are nonprofit management leaders, foundations, and individuals dealing with the new economic realities? In this audio lecture, Peter Hero, with his wealth of experience in nonprofit management and foundations, shares his reflections on the downturn, how the nonprofit sector has been impacted, and the response from donors and foundations. These lessons in nonprofit management guide leaders to think more deeply when times are tough, with the optimism that we will all come out stronger.
Podcast
Rolf Papsdorf - Providing Environmental Sustainability Solutions
The unique advantages of zinc air fuel cells have been harnessed as an environmental sustainability measure to deliver reliable, renewable, and affordable electricity to rural communities off the grid. In this audio interview, Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman talks with 2009 Tech Award winner Rolf Papsdorf to find out how his company, Alternative Energy Development Corporation, combines sound economics, customer service, and social responsibility to tangibly improve the lives of people around the world.
How the Fast Food Industry Can Fight Obesity
Studies show that a majority of Americans know they are eating too much and actually wish to lose weight. So why isn’t the industry doing more to address this issue?
Al Gore Calls on Foundations to Align Mission and Strategy
The current economic crisis is the result of a huge misalignment of short term, personal benefits and long term sustainability.
How the Now Generation of Leaders Can Change Philanthropy
"One thing I don’t want to see is young people come in and accept things as they are.”—Bill Somerville, president of the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Podcast
Hayagreeva Rao - Market Rebels: How Activists Make or Break Radical Innovation
Do you identify as an activist, a social entrepreneur, or both? What do they have in common? In this audio lecture sponsored by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, Hayagreeva Rao, explores how the joined hands of activists, or "market rebels," shape markets, and how this promotes or blocks innovation. Rao's lessons are applicable to leaders in the nonprofit and for-profit spheres, marketers, and activists who harness collective action for institutional and social change.