Smart Decision-Making
The social sector is drowning in evidence-based research but more often than not fails to use it effectively. Bridging the divide requires a more holistic approach to decision-making. A feature story from the Spring 2020 issue.
Measurement & Evaluation New ways to measure and evaluate the impact an organization’s work has on society
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Closing the Evaluation Gap
Evaluations have become critical to nonprofit performance, but they are prohibitively expensive for many organizations. Solving this problem will make the sector more equitable and successful. A Viewpoint from the Spring 2020 issue.
Review
The Technology Treadmill
Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson’s Ingenious applies concepts and metaphors from evolutionary biology to explain the impact of technological innovation on human life. A book review from the Spring 2020 issue.
Shaping Research to Create More Social Impact
Co-creating evidence with communities and decision makers can lead to research with more impact.
On Hiatus: Call for Submissions to SSIR Series on Social Change in an Era of Extreme Polarization
In response to the coronavirus epidemic, SSIR has temporarily halted seeking submissions for a series on extreme polarization and how it affects civil society's efforts to solve social problems, and how to build collaborations, communicate with the public, and manage conflict in a divided world.
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Drowning in Data
Funders are calling for more program evaluation, but nonprofits are often collecting dubious data, at great cost to themselves and ultimately to the people they serve.
Plotting Impact Beyond Simple Metrics
For NGOs, impact comes in different forms and to track the cycles of social change work, we must think across the tangibility and the speed of emergence of change.
Ten Nonprofit Funding Models
With an understanding of these 10 funding models, nonprofit leaders can use the for-profit world's valuable practice of engaging in succinct and clear conversations about long-term financial strategy.
Creating High-Impact Nonprofits
Conventional wisdom says that scaling social innovation starts with strengthening internal management capabilities. This study of 12 high-impact nonprofits, however, shows that real social change happens when organizations go outside their own walls and find creative ways to enlist the help of others.
Ethics and Nonprofits
Unethical behavior remains a persistent problem in nonprofits and for-profits alike. To help organizations solve that problem, the authors examine the factors that influence moral conduct, the ethical issues that arise specifically in charitable organizations, and the best ways to promote ethical behavior within organizations.