Collective Impact Forum

In this roundtable discussion, we address some questions from Forum community members about how our collaborative work is affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting exhausted community partners, figuring out how to build engagement around a new initiative during the pandemic, and how to keep long-term goals while meeting immediate needs. Featuring Robert Albright, Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Resource: Community Engagement Toolkit

Blog: Learning in a Time of Crisis

Blog: Scenario Thinking for an Unpredictable Year: Status Quo is Not an Option 

Tool: Reimagining Strategy in the Context of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Triage Tool

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits

Podcast: Managing Change in Rapidly Changing Times

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at [email protected].

In this roundtable discussion, we reflect on what’s been happening with the pandemic, the economy, and the protests to support Black lives, the impact we’re seeing, and what does it mean to look ahead when the future seems so unknown. Featuring Robert Albright, Sheri Brady, Jennifer Splansky Juster, Paul Schmitz, Tracy Timmons-Gray, and Junious Williams.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: Scenario Thinking for an Unpredictable Year: Status Quo is Not an Option 

Tool: Reimagining Strategy in the Context of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Triage Tool

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at [email protected].

In this interview, Dr. Lauren Smith, Co-CEO of FSG, shares key recommendations for how funders can support grantees now during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how their programs may evolve when supporting the needs of communities post-pandemic.

Resources and Footnotes

Blog: COVID-19⁠—Seven Things Philanthropy Can Do by Lauren A. Smith

Blog: Foundations: Use Your Balance Sheet to Help by Mark Kramer

More related to dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Podcast: Managing Change in Rapidly Changing Times (Office Hour 1)

Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at [email protected].

In response to the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affects so much of our lives, the Forum is hosting weekly virtual office hours that looks at your questions related to how to manage change right now- whether it’s change in your work, or your relationships, or even how to work right now. We’ll be sharing the audio from those virtual office hours so listeners of the podcast can also receive this support. 

In this episode, we’re featuring the audio from our virtual office hour that was held on March 26, 2020 and includes a conversation with Executive Director of the Collective Impact Forum Jennifer Splansky Juster and Senior Advisor to the Collective Impact Forum Paul Schmitz.

One note for listeners. This audio is edited from the original version so it’s more catered to an audio-only audience. For any resources referenced in this episode, including tools and articles, we’ve included links to those in the footnotes for this episode, so feel free to check those out if it’s helpful.

Footnotes

• Blog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and Nonprofits
• Video and Presentation: Managing Change in (Rapidly) Changing Times
• Blog: Things are not normal. It’s OK to not be OK.
• Guide: Tamarack's Guidelines for Working Remotely
• Blog: Ford Foundation - A Message of Support for our Grantees 
• Pledge: A Call to Action: Philanthropy's Commitment During COVID-19

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at [email protected].

 

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote and panel discussion titled, “Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact” that features a talk by Marshall Ganz, who serves as Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 

Following the keynote is a panel discussion on community organizing in collective impact. Joining Marshall Ganze for this talk is Melody Barnes of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend of Philadelphia Youth Network, Marjorie Parker of JobsFirstNYC, and Marc Philpart of PolicyLink.

Introducing Marshall Ganz is Monique Miles of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions. This talk was held on May 24, 2017 at the 2017 Collective Impact Convening in Boston.

Episode Contents

1:39: Introduction by Monique Miles of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

7:21: Keynote talk by Marshall Ganz

45:43: Panel Discussion

Footnotes and More Resources

Transcript and Video of Marshall Ganz’s keynote

Video of the Panel Discussion “Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact”

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to our short podcast listener survey or at [email protected].

This episode continues the theme of “Getting Started” in collective impact by focusing on some underlying factors including building relationships and shifting mindsets that can support the long-term success of a collaborative effort.

Episode Contents

1:44: Before diving into these key factors for success, how did we come up with these factors in the first place?

3:44: Four mental model shifts that can be helpful to support a collaborative’s work and long-term sustainability.

17:00: Other “intangible” factors that can support a collaborative’s success, including building a culture of learning, including learning from failure, and supporting a broader understanding of leadership.

22:00: Pitfalls to avoid that can challenge a collaborative’s growth and ability to reach their goal.

Footnotes and Resources:

Resource: Guide to Evaluating Collective Impact

Tools: Facilitating Intentional Group Learning: A Practical Guide to 21 Learning Activities

Webinar: How to Integrate Continuous Learning into Collective Impact

Webinar: Aligning Partners in Collective Impact

Blog: The Three Elements of Continuous Learning: Priorities, Plans, and Culture

The Culture of Collective Impact podcast and blog.

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us through our short listener survey or at [email protected].
 

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote talk titled, “Moving from Charity to Justice in Collective Impact” by Liz Dozier, founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, an impact investor that backs the fight for youth equity. Chicago Beyond exists so that all youth, especially the most vulnerable, will have the opportunity to achieve their fullest human potential.

This talk was held on May 16, 2019 at the 2019 Collective Impact Convening in Chicago. 

Footnotes and Resources:

Chicago Beyond

Why am I always being researched?

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact? 

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we’re sharing a keynote talk titled, “Beyond Seats at the Table: Equity, Inclusion, and Collective Impact” that features a talk by Vu Le, founding Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps and author of the blog NonprofitAF. 

Introducing Vu Le is Sheri Brady, who serves at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions as well as co-lead of the Collective Impact Forum. This talk was held on April 3, 2018 at the 2018 Collective Impact Convening in Austin. 

Due to the original recording, this episode may be heard best with headphones.

Episode Contents

1:05: Introduction by Sheri Brady of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

1:56: Keynote talk by Vu Le

Footnotes and Resources:

Transcript and Video of Vu Le’s talk.

NonprofitAF blog

Rainier Valley Corps

Equity Matters in Collective Impact

Moving Equity from Theory to Practice

Bringing an Equity Lens to Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at [email protected].

In this episode, we’re sharing a 2019 Collective Impact Convening keynote talk titled, “From the “Why” to the “How": Operationalizing Equity in Collective Impact” by Professor john a powell, who serves as Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California Berkeley. 

Following the keynote, Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink, joins Professor Powell in a discussion about what’s needed to prioritize equity within collective impact work. 

Episode Contents 

1:27: Sheri Brady of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions and co-lead of the Collective Impact Forum introduces Professor john a. powell.

4:36: Keynote talk by Professor john a. powell on the topic of “From the Why to the How: Operationalizing Equity for Collective Impact.”

29:47: Sheri Brady introduces and welcomes Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink, to join Professor Powell in a fireside chat.

Footnotes and Resources 

Targeted Universalism: Policy and Practice 

Equity: The Soul of Collective Impact

Equity Matters in Collective Impact

Getting to Yes: How to Generate Consensus for Targeted Universalism

Moving Equity from Theory to Practice

Bringing an Equity Lens to Collective Impact

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact:  

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at [email protected].

Jen, Robert, and Tracy go into the topics of getting ready to launch a collective impact effort, including exploring the question of “How do I know if the collective impact approach is the right approach to take for my collaborative?”

Episode Contents:

2:35: Robert and Jen share a few of the conditions that can be helpful to have in place when deciding whether or not to use this approach on a social change issue.

7:48: Jen and Robert discuss what it means to bring in a variety of “interventions,” both relating to single programs and also the overarching system the programs are working in.

11:56: Jen dives into how and when population size matters when planning collaborative work.

14:10: How does collective impact work across issues?

15:59: Does geography play a big role when doing collaborative work?

19:20: Robert and Jen dive into four “readiness factors,” how they affect a collaborative effort, and what happens when some of these factors are hard to put in place.

21:05: Bringing in influential Champions (and how you find them)

25:17: Galvanizing urgency (and what happens when your partners don’t feel that same urgency that you do?)

28:35: Building resources to get started- does that just mean money or does it mean something else? And do you need the resources to get started or can you start in order to get resources?

31:45: Having a history of collaboration- why it can help and what to think about if past collaborations in your community have not worked out well (and what does that mean for future collaborative efforts.)

Footnotes and Resources:

Blog: Is Collective Impact the Right Approach?

Tool: Collective Impact Feasibility Framework

Webinar Video: Building Readiness Through the Collective Impact Feasibility Framework 

More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:

Infographic: What is Collective Impact?  

Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact  

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? You can send it to us at [email protected].