Scaling Science

By John Gargani & Robert McLean 6

A new approach to scaling is needed in which the goal is scaling up social impact for public good. Open access to this article is made possible by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

The Promise of Skills-Based Volunteering

By Christine Letts & Danielle Holly 4

One of the fastest-growing corporate citizenship programs is skills-based volunteering—in which a team of corporate employees works for an extended period of time to help a nonprofit solve a complex operational problem.

Creating a Policy Index for the Arts

By Roland J. Kushner & Randy Cohen

The National Arts Index established a quantitative measure for arts vitality in the United States that aided public discussion by policy makers and the arts community. In the era of big data, what can we learn from its creation and impact?

A Revamped ACLU Takes on Today’s Fights

By Anthony D. Romero & Geri E. Rozanski 4

The ACLU pursued a 10-year plan to expand the capacity of its affiliates nationwide and defend people’s constitutional rights against the threats of a Trump presidency.

Creating Breakout Innovation

By Joanna Levitt Cea & Jess Rimington 15

Nonprofits, community groups, and philanthropists are embracing cocreation as a way to engage a wider community in tackling pressing problems.

The Chinese Collectivist Model of Charity

By Christopher Marquis, Qi Li & Kunyuan Qiao 3

In the West, most wealthy entrepreneurs prefer to give to specific individual causes, by establishing their own foundation, family office, or donor-advised fund. Most Chinese entrepreneurs, by contrast, would rather work together and pursue philanthropy collectively.

The Generalizability Puzzle

By Mary Ann Bates & Rachel Glennerster 5

Rigorous impact evaluations tell us a lot about the world, not just the particular contexts in which they are conducted. Open access to this article is made possible by MIT.

Caught in a Fake Debate

By Annie Duflo & Heidi McAnnally-Linz 1

Finding solutions for the global poor need not require choosing between theory and decision making. Good evaluations focus on both.

The New Science of Designing for Humans

By Piyush Tantia 8

The rise of behavioral science and impact evaluation has created a new way for engineering programs and human interactions.

Stop Raising Awareness Already

By Ann Christiano & Annie Neimand 23

It’s time for activists and organizations to adopt a more strategic approach to public interest communications.