Past Events

Nonprofit Management Institute 2023

The world has changed dramatically in recent years, posing new opportunities and challenges for nonprofit organizations. Racial reckoning has created new pathways for some of our most important work, and asks us to rethink hiring, governance, and conflict resolution. Digital outlets strengthen community voices, calling for greater transparency and accountability. Technology creates more efficient ways of working, but threatens our very livelihood as workers. And of course, COVID changed everything, forever upending office culture and inspiring experiments like the four-day work week.

It's a lot to manage.

In addition to time and activities for networking, NMI this year will cover topics like:

• Lessons in Intersectional Leadership – Is leadership a common code? Or can we draw lessons from styles informed by gender, race, and life experience to create a modern model?
• The Future of Work – From a four-day work week to all remote staff to leadership sabbaticals, find a model that works for your organization.
• Justice for Nonprofit Workers – A look at trends in unionization and worker cooperatives, and how nonprofits might be impacted.
• The New Fundraising – What’s changed in philanthropy and grant making, and how to adapt.
• Workplace Wellbeing – What do workers want now, and how to be a great place to work.
• It's Not Just AI – How to effectively use data, AI, and new tools for nonprofit good and workplace satisfaction.
• Decolonizing The Nonprofit Board – Institute a board recruiting process that intentionally seeks out the wisdom, experience, and expertise of the communities you serve.

This year’s NMI will leverage our shared experience and knowledge, as we learn together in workshops, presentations, and panel discussions from our speakers and from one another. We encourage you to be a part of the discussions taking place in-person and online September 13-14, 2023.

For more information and to register, please visit our NMI 2023 website.

Data on Purpose 2023

Generative AI. Big Data. Algorithmic Management. Robotics. Technologies currently being developed and deployed will change—have already changed—the very nature and quality of work for countless people in the US and around the world. If designed and harnessed responsibly, they have the potential to help us reimagine how we work, where we work, and what work we do. But advanced thoughtlessly, or optimized solely for profit, technology will accelerate exploitation, exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination, and fuel mistrust of democratic institutions.

Over the 2 Days, We Will Virtually Explore:

• The specter of generative AI: Is ChatGPT really coming for all of our jobs?
• Worker-led efforts to use innovative technology to improve their work and working conditions
• An interactive workshop to explore the insidious growth of algorithmic bossware and worker surveillance—and how it’s already more pervasive than you might think
• How investors across sectors can shape digital innovation—for good or ill
• The “gig-ification” of the whole economy. It’s not just Uber and Doordash.
• How policymakers and advocates are building guardrails to protect workers now and in the future

In this 2-day open-access virtual conference, we will ​​feature many of the worker organizations leading the movement to build a more just and equitable economy in conversation with some of the sharpest minds in academia, civil society, and the public and private sectors. Together, we will explore the risks of tech innovation that fails to serve labor, and we will envision what is needed to build a better, more worker-centered digital economy.

Who Should Join? Nonprofit and for-profit social change leaders from around the world care about the future of your organization and its workers. Leaders from across the social innovation ecosystem will discover insights and will come away informed regardless of their level of familiarity with data or new tech. 

For more information and to register, please visit our Data on Purpose 2023 page.
 

Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023

Democratic political institutions are being called into question and under threat, as we have seen in many parts of the world, including the United States, Western Europe, Brazil, and Hong Kong. The concentration of wealth and economic power in the hands of a few people and businesses is giving rise to the creation of new types of organizations and calls for a new type of economy in which the fruits of economic activity and power are shared more equally and democratically. Even within the social sector itself, nonprofit organizations and philanthropists are facing demands for greater inclusion, democratic governance, and power-sharing.

At Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023: "The Role of Social Innovation in Democracy," we will discuss critical questions such as: How can the social innovation sector support democracy? Should nonprofit organizations engage in political activity more directly? Should nonprofit organizations and foundations operate more democratically? Can big philanthropy be a force for good or is it inherently undemocratic?

Be a part of the conversation as we examine important topics, such as…

• Government: How does the rise of populism globally challenge democratic principles and institutions that underlie a just and equitable society? With democracy on the decline in multiple countries, how can the social sector work together to counter this threat?
• Civil Society: How can nonprofit organizations create a more democratic governance structure? Should democracy be a core principle of social innovation? How can foundations work more democratically with the grantees that they serve?
• Economy: What does a democratic economy look like? What lessons can be learned from experiments and approaches being tested in other countries? How does one create a business that is governed democratically?
• Politics: Are there alternatives to democracy as a political system that are more just and equitable? Can social innovation flourish under systems that are not “democratic”? How can the emerging practice of political innovation drive positive change?

Join us for Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023, "The Role of Social Innovation in Democracy" as we examine these topics and other critical issues.

Nonprofit Management Institute 2022

Today, society seems more divided than ever. Talking with someone who holds an opinion different from our own has become a potential minefield to be avoided at all costs. The war in Ukraine increases the possibility of a bipolar world, while partisan rhetoric in the United States exacerbates the sense that we are a split nation. 

But the opportunity for bridging these and other divides may be greater than we think.

Opinion polls in the United States and Europe find that the majority of people actually hold similar views on the need to address a variety of issues – from strengthening our democracies, to addressing wealth disparity and inequality, to saving the planet from environmental ruin. And we know that to address these and other issues effectively, we must be able to communicate with a broad array of individuals with different points of view and build consensus.

How do we encourage greater cooperation and collaboration in what can feel like an increasingly divisive world?

Finding common ground isn’t limited to external work. To achieve impact, foundations or board members and the leadership teams of the nonprofits they fund or work with need to understand one another’s priorities and goals. Program teams and the communities with whom they serve must be able to communicate openly and effectively.

As the saying goes, “It isn’t ‘them or us,’ it’s ‘us and them’ or simply ‘we’.”

Over the course of three days, we will explore issues such as:

• The vital role of civil society institutions in finding common ground
• How to address problems that arise between nonprofits and the constituents they serve
• Ways to facilitate collaboration in a politically divisive environment
• The importance of equity in an increasingly inequitable era
• Leveraging the science of deep listening to create a foundation for social change
• Combatting disinformation in a politicized environment
• How boards and nonprofit leadership can transcend differences

As the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s NMI will be a HYBRID conference and will include virtual guest speakers and attendees, as well as live presentations and engaging in-person workshops.

This year’s NMI will leverage our shared experience and knowledge, as we learn together in workshops, presentations, and panel discussions from our speakers and from one another. We encourage you to be a part of the discussions taking place online September 13, 14, and 15, as we begin bridging the divide.

For more information and to register, please visit our NMI 2022 website.
 

Data on Purpose 2022

The emerging field of public interest technology (PIT) advocates that ​​technology should be designed, deployed, and regulated in ways that are responsible and equitable. Engineers, scientists, community organizers, and activists have joined this cause as public interest technologists by explicitly putting the experiences of historically marginalized groups who have been both targeted and neglected by technology at the center of their work. 

In this four-day open-access virtual conference, we will ​​bring together some of the sharpest minds in this field to explore how to advance public interest technology responsibly and equitably in academia, civil society, and the public and private sectors. 

• Day One: Establishing What We Mean When We Talk About 'Public Interest Technology'
• Day Two: Centering Racial Equity in Public Interest Technology
• Day Three: Reimagining the Public Sector and Public Spaces
• Day Four: Looking Towards the Future…

Over the course of four days, we will explore:

• The fundamentals of public interest technology
• Lived experience as an asset to tech challenges
• Civic tech and urban innovation
• Evolving public duties
• PIT’s role in philanthropy

This program is suitable for anyone, regardless of their familiarity with technology and data, and will provide insights for leaders across the social innovation ecosystem. The audience for this webinar are nonprofit and for-profit social change leaders from around the world and those aspiring to lead organizations that are making a difference.

For more information and to register, please visit our DoP2022 page.
 

Frontiers of Social Innovation 2022

In recent years, more and more people in the social innovation ecosystem have begun to ask questions about the role of power in creating a more just, sustainable, and equitable society. At our Frontiers of Social Innovation 2022 conference, Stanford Social Innovation Review will use power as a lens to examine the strategies and practices commonly used in the field of social innovation today, as well as those emerging approaches that may be more widely used in the future.

At the conference we will discuss critical questions such as: How is power used responsibly, and what happens when it is abused? How are individuals and organizations in positions of power held accountable? How do we recognize and understand the power structures that may reinforce systems of oppression and inequity? What is the impact of power dynamics on different social issues, such as the environment and health, for example? How will the current examinations of power shape the field of social innovation in the future?

Last year at our Frontiers conference we examined the ways that major technological, political, and economic changes were causing shifts in people, resources, and power around the globe. Those discussions, coupled with many of the events that have transpired since then, led us to focus our 2022 gathering on “Power at Play in Social Change.”

Be a part of the exchange of ideas as we examine important topics, such as…

• Shifts in power: Worker-owned co-ops, indigenous climate activism, and BIPOC-led intermediary organizations are just some of the new approaches that seek to empower those whose wisdom and experience have long been discounted or ignored.
• Place-based solutions: Ideas like “restorative economics” and the growth of community investment trusts are focusing attention on local areas and empowering the people living there to create lasting change.
• De-institutionalizing philanthropy: Seismic shifts in the way philanthropy is perceived and operates are bringing about more transparent, more equitable, trust-based approaches to funding social change.
• Models of citizen/government co-creation: New modes of civic activism and alternative perspectives on the role of government are changing the ways that citizens and government interact and making government more responsive to the needs of the people.
• Public-interest technology: A growing chorus of voices from inside and outside the technology industry are calling for changes that give individuals and society greater control over the technologies that are reshaping the way we live and work.  

Join us for Frontiers of Social Innovation 2022 as we examine these topics and other critical issues related to the role of power in social change.

Nonprofit Management Institute 2021

Over the past year and a half, we and our organizations have dealt with a seemingly unending series of crises: a global health pandemic, personal loss and isolation, a long-delayed reckoning with racism, an economic downturn that hit the poor and marginalized particularly hard, and attacks on the fabric of democracy.

But we’re finally seeing glimmers of hope. Vaccinations are taking place in many parts of the world, with plans to roll-out more to other countries and regions. Actions are being taken to address systemic racial injustices in the United States and other countries. Ideas and policies that challenge neoliberal capitalism are getting real consideration from governments and businesses. After spending more than a year virtually holding our collective breath, many people are finally starting to think about returning to some sense of normal.

But as social innovation leaders we must aspire to go beyond a return to “normal.” The challenge we now face is how to build better systems and solutions than before. How do we create systems – for ourselves, our organizations, our constituents, and our communities – that are healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable than those we had?

As we begin the work together of creating a better tomorrow, we’ll address health and well-being from a personal, organizational, and societal perspective, including:

• The connection between inner well-being and social change
• How to create equity, dignity, justice, and joy in our sector and our society
• The vital role of funders in supporting organizational well-being
• Effective communication to overcome polarization and build connection and collaboration
• The power of multi-generational teams in the social sector
• Creating public policies that support healthy communities

…and others.

This year’s NMI will leverage our shared experience and knowledge, as we learn together in workshops, presentations, and panel discussions from our speakers and from one another. We encourage you to be a part of the discussions taking place online September 21, 22, and 23, as we begin charting our collective path to a healthier future.


Like many of you in the sector, we at SSIR are adapting our approaches and operations in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In that spirit, we are pleased to announce that, this year's annual Nonprofit Management Institute will be an entirely online convening.

Although virtual experiences are radically different from those presented in-person, we are committed to delivering a program that is just as informative, insightful, and engaging as that of any prior NMI. Over the next several weeks, we will be busy confirming our speakers and sessions, and developing other elements – including ways to network with your fellow social innovators – in order to provide you with an experience on par with what you have come to expect from SSIR convenings.

Join Stanford Social Innovation Review for this year's annual Nonprofit Management Institute, "Building a Healthier Future: Creating Personal, Organizational and Societal Well-being.”

Frontiers of Social Innovation 2021

During the first two decades of the 21st century, society has experienced major technological, political, and economic changes, resulting in a significant redistribution of people, power, and resources across the globe. 

Climate change, conflict, and economic trends are causing hundreds of millions of people to migrate within and across nations. Nations are rapidly urbanizing, redistributing populations and leaving most rural areas further behind. And dramatic demographic changes within countries are contributing to social upheaval. 

Power—political, personal, and social—is also being redistributed. The Internet has caused significant changes in whose voices are heard and what organizations wield power. Social movements such as Black Lives Matter, Yellow Vests, Me Too, and the Umbrella Movement are shaking the foundations of power. 

A handful of nations, companies, and individuals are controlling a growing share of the world’s wealth, capital, and environmental assets. This redistribution of resources is leading to a growing chasm between the rich and the poor, and calls for significant changes in the way resources are allocated and controlled. 

As dramatic as these changes have been, it is all but certain that the redistribution wave will continue, or possibly even accelerate, in the coming decades. 

If that is the case, how do we as social innovation leaders respond? What can we learn from our experiences to create a more just, sustainable, and equal world, and how can we better prepare for the changes to come. 

• What role can civil society organizations play in preventing massive refugee migrations?  

• Are social impact bonds and other outcome-based funding approaches achieving their goals?

• Are cities increasingly the cradle of social innovation?

• What responsibilities do foundations and large funders have to respond to community demands for decolonizing wealth and power?

• Can the expertise of those without computer science backgrounds be successfully integrated into the development of AI to produce more ethical and just tools?

• If climate change is the defining issue of our time, how should we all change our work?

Data on Purpose 2021 “Democracy, Civil Society, and Digital Technology”

Data on Purpose 2021: “Democracy, Civil Society, and Digital Technology”

Digital technology and data shape both organizational operations and individual interactions, not only in our personal lives, but more and more in civil society, where it is increasingly used by nonprofit organizations and social movements to coordinate action, empower constituencies, elevate issues, and mobilize support.

But the same mechanisms can just as easily operate to undermine democracy and civil society—for example when social media and targeted messaging is used to disinform and foment polarization. Digital engagement has its own technical, ethical, and security limitations, and its widespread use has tested our social and political structures.

What are the trends and technologies heightening concerns over the use of data and digital tools? How are different actors – movement builders, platforms, elected officials – working to improve upon or leverage these tools and processes to be better applied for the benefit of all? What steps are being taken to address crucial issues of equity and justice that are part of our social fabric? How can we build alternative approaches that recognize that people are more than analytics and metrics in service to the latest automated solution?

Join Stanford Social Innovation Review for our 6th Data on Purpose conference, "Democracy, Civil Society, and Digital Technology." This year’s convening is designed to help nonprofit leaders and their teams (technical or not) identify and operationalize digital solutions to critical issues related to our democracy and civil society. With a focus on issues of equity, privacy & security, polarization, and the curtailing of misinformation, Data on Purpose will address the latest research- and practice-based insights from data scientists and researchers, nonprofit, foundation and for-profit leaders, policymakers, and other experts. Our goal is to help identify digital technologies that can strengthen our democracy and civil society, reduce inequities, improve the operation of nonprofit organizations, and empower the kind of informed, democratic participation which is a vital underpinning of civil society.

Participants in Data on Purpose 2021 will come away with:

• Knowledge of the tools and processes that can help organizations benefit from artificial intelligence and machine learning to reduce inequity and provide for their constituents, while avoiding the ethical and security concerns AI presents 

• ​Insights into how nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and social movements are using digital technologies and platforms to organize and empower their constituenciesand confidence in their own ability to answer the technology questions that have bedeviled their organizations, and tools to bring those answers to fruition.

• A better understanding of the current state of the digital divide, the ways in which challenges can be overcome, and where we still need to focus our efforts, with a special focus on maintaining human connections with those we serve in a world dominated by data

• Examples of how digital technologies are being used to strengthen civil society institutions and the social connections between people

• Knowledge of ways to support digital democracy and combat the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, weaponization of information, and hacking

Nonprofit Management Institute 2020

The nonprofit sector has weathered many challenges; but nothing matches the scope and speed of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had. Within a short period of time a health crisis in China turned into a global pandemic and economic shutdown. While some parts of the world are seeing a levelling-off of infections and deaths, others are still experiencing an increase in the number of new cases and hospitalizations.

Even as the medical and public health aspects of the pandemic become more manageable, the economic impact will continue for some time. Many small- and medium-size businesses will never return. Tens of millions of people have lost their jobs and are not able to pay their mortgage or rent, let alone their credit card bills and student loans.

Nonprofit organizations have been similarly devastated. For many, revenues have dried up and donations declined. Every nonprofit leader has had to respond to the pandemic and take steps to help their organization survive. Some have had to lay people off and cut salaries, and others have had to cut programs. In the process, however, many leaders have discovered new ways to operate their organization, offer programs, and provide services to constituents. Some have made small adjustments, and others large ones.

Beyond the obvious efforts like encouraging remote work and moving to online offerings, what are some of the innovative solutions that have arisen from this crisis and that have the potential to dramatically change how we as social sector leaders operate? What can we learn from this experience, and how can we come out stronger as a sector?

Like many of you in the sector, we at SSIR are adapting our approaches and operations in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In that spirit, we are pleased to announce that, this year, the 15th Annual Nonprofit Management Institute will be an entirely virtual convening.

Although virtual experiences are radically different from those presented in-person, we are committed to delivering a program that is just as informative, insightful, and engaging as that of any prior NMI. Over the next several weeks, we will be busy confirming our speakers and sessions, and developing other elements – including ways to network with your fellow social innovators – in order to provide you with an experience on par with what you have come to expect from SSIR convenings.

Join Stanford Social Innovation Review for our 15th annual Nonprofit Management Institute, “COVID-19: Reshaping Social Innovation.”