When Aid Fails
The citizen journalism effort What Went Wrong? examines international development projects with the help of reports from people the project was supposed to benefit. A What's Next article from the Summer 2019 issue.
Measurement & Evaluation New ways to measure and evaluate the impact an organization’s work has on society
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Paying It Forward in International Development
Development practitioners must build a culture of learning, negotiation, and collaboration, so that the generation and use of evidence are integrated into program design and implementation.
Can Machine Learning Double Your Social Impact?
A look at what it takes to successfully deploy machine learning tools for social good and the most exciting opportunities ahead.
Video
Homeless Shelter Uses Feedback to Help Its Clients Regain Independence
The Arkansas nonprofit Our House, which provides shelter to homeless families and individuals working to regain their economic independence, has built a culture of continuous feedback with surveys, community councils, and “happy or not” voting terminals. Part of a series produced for SSIR with the support of the Hewlett Foundation.
How Nonprofits Can Help Donor-Advised Fund Philanthropists Listen and Learn
As donor-advised funds increase in popularity, the people who use them are poised to advance the practice of listening to the organizations and individuals they are trying to help. Part of a series produced for SSIR with the support of the Hewlett Foundation.
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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.