Past Events

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.

At our 6th Data on Purpose conference, "Democracy, Civil Society, and Digital Technology," Stanford Social Innovation Review will help nonprofit leaders identify trends and technologies heightening concerns over the use of data and digital tools. We will explore questions on 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?

Nonprofit Management Institute 2020

Nonprofit Management Institute 2020: COVID-19: Reshaping Social Innovation
Over the course of three days–September 22, 23, and 24, 2020–Stanford Social innovation Review brought together nonprofit and business leaders, noted academics, and prominent public-sector leaders to share experiences and insights on how organizations have weathered the impact of COVID-19, what we learned from these experiences, and how we emerged stronger as a sector.

Nonprofit Management Institute 2019

Nonprofit Management Institute 2019: “Transforming Anxiety into Active Leadership”
Over the course of three days—September 10, 11, and 12, 2019—SSIR brought together respected scholars, notable leaders of organizations, and prominent voices to explore the latest research and thinking on the best ways for nonprofit leaders to avoid organizational paralysis and leverage today’s economic and political challenges to drive their organizations forward.

Data on Purpose 2019

Data on Purpose 2019: “Navigating the Digital Now”

In both our personal and professional lives, we are living in a digital world. The days of planning for our digital future are past. Today we operate in the digital now. Whether we identify ourselves as such, we are the leaders of digital organizations operating in a digital environment.

At our 5th annual Data on Purpose conference, Stanford Social Innovation Review will help nonprofit leaders identify the best ways to build data and technology capacity. We will weave together the latest research- and practice-based insights from data scientists and researchers, nonprofit and foundation leaders, policymakers, and other prominent experts, to help identify what is truly important, versus simply what is possible or what is urgent.

Nonprofit Management Institute 2018

Nonprofit Management Institute 2018: “Toward Real Change: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”
Over the course of three days—September 12, 13, and 14, 2018—SSIR brought together respected scholars exploring the latest research and thinking on the root causes and most promising solutions to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion; notable leaders of organizations working to make progress against these issues, and prominent voices elevating the dialog on these topics. Not being satisfied in merely raising awareness of these issues, our goal was to probe the complex layers of these challenges, to create a greater understanding of the mechanisms that cause them, and to outline steps we can all take to address them.
 

Frontiers of Social Innovation 2018

SSIR hosted leaders from around the world at its biannual Frontiers of Social Innovation forum on May 21-22, 2018, to discuss the most recent research and thinking on the causes of social inequities, and, importantly, the approaches and programs that are proving to be most effective at creating a more economically just world.

Data on Purpose 2018

Data on Purpose 2018: The Promise and Pitfalls of the Connected World featured a mix of keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions that were useful for anyone using data—from executive leaders, to data analysts, to those working on data governance—to transform how social sector organizations operate, how they interact with one another, and how they serve constituents. 

Nonprofit Management Institute 2017

The twelfth annual Nonprofit Management Institute—Leading Social Change in Turbulent Times—recognized that organizational leaders face difficult and uncertain roads ahead. Through a mix of intensive sessions, hands-on workshops, and insightful interviews with thought leaders from academia, nonprofits, for-profits, and government, this conference inspired and made the attendees ready to take action.

Data on Purpose | Do Good Data: from Possibilities to Responsibilities

Data experts, academics, practitioners, and social sector leaders led sessions on topics ranging from aligning practice with policy to creating a culture of data, and how Silicon Valley is facilitating data practices in civil society.

Nonprofit Management Institute 2016

On September 12-13, 2016, the eleventh annual Nonprofit Management Institute explored the power of network leadership to drive social change.