Collective Impact Forum

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.FootnotesBlog: Managing Change During the Pandemic: Thoughts for Collective Impact and NonprofitsVideo and Presentation: Managing Change in (Rapidly) Changing TimesBlog: Things are not normal. It’s OK to not be OK.Guide: Tamarack's Guidelines for Working RemotelyBlog: Ford Foundation - A Message of Support for our Grantees Pledge: A Call to Action: Philanthropy's Commitment During COVID-19More on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:Infographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org. 

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 Contents1:39: Introduction by Monique Miles of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.7:21: Keynote talk by Marshall Ganz45:43: Panel DiscussionFootnotes and More ResourcesTranscript and Video of Marshall Ganz’s keynoteVideo 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 ImpactThe 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

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 Contents1:44: 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 ImpactTools: Facilitating Intentional Group Learning: A Practical Guide to 21 Learning ActivitiesWebinar: How to Integrate Continuous Learning into Collective ImpactWebinar: Aligning Partners in Collective ImpactBlog: The Three Elements of Continuous Learning: Priorities, Plans, and CultureThe 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 ImpactThe 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org. 

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 BeyondWhy 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 ImpactThe 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

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 Contents1:05: Introduction by Sheri Brady of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.1:56: Keynote talk by Vu LeFootnotes and Resources:Transcript and Video of Vu Le’s talk.NonprofitAF blogRainier Valley CorpsEquity Matters in Collective ImpactMoving Equity from Theory to PracticeBringing an Equity Lens to Collective ImpactMore on Collective Impact approach to collaborate for social change:Infographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

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 ImpactEquity Matters in Collective ImpactGetting to Yes: How to Generate Consensus for Targeted UniversalismMoving Equity from Theory to PracticeBringing an Equity Lens to Collective ImpactMore 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

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 FrameworkWebinar 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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.

Jen, Robert, and Tracy of the Collective Impact Forum kick off the podcast with a deep-dive into what the term "collective impact" means, and what does it look like in action when partners are working in cross-sector collaboration on complex social change issues.Episode Contents2:00: Jen and Robert introduce themselves and the work and history of the Collective Impact Forum, an initiative co-led by FSG and the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.10:40: Jen and Robert define what the term "collective impact" means and how it has become a specific approach towards long-term collaboration for social change.12:50: What are the five conditions that make up the collective impact approach? Jen and Robert explain, and kick things off with a look at the common agenda.17:05: Next up is "Mutually Reinforcing Activities." That's quite the term! But what does it really mean? (And why are these activities so important?)26:00: Next is the condition of Continuous Communication. That sounds pretty straight-forward, but is it really? And what does it look like when you're working in a collaborative?29:40: Jen and Robert dive into one of the most challenging (yet vital) components when doing collaborative work- Shared Measurement.34:42: The Backbone - one of the most vital components when working in collaboration, but what does the role of the backbone really entail? Jen and Robert explain and share the variety of ways the backbone can show up when doing the work.39:30: The Collective Impact Principles of Practice - these principles run across all five conditions, but what do they look like, and how were they formed? Robert explains.43:25: A lot of what's been discussed around collective impact doesn't seem very "new new," to use Tracy's phrase. Jen discusses how the collective impact approach builds on and draws from decades of collaborative and community work.References for this episode:What is Collective Impact? infographicGetting Started in Collective Impact Resource Page“Collective Impact” by John Kania and Mark Kramer in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (2011)One article that Jen references in this episode is The Water of Systems Change.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 info@collectiveimpactforum.org.