Collective Impact for Stanford Social Innovation Review

Large-scale social change requires broad cross-sector coordination, yet the social sector remains focused on the isolated intervention of individual organizations.
Collective Impact SSIR

This article is widely regarded as a seminal work in the field of social change and collaboration. It introduced a new and systematic approach to tackling complex social issues. Unlike traditional isolated interventions that operate in silos, this framework emphasises the power of collaboration rather than competition across different sectors (charitable, statutory, academia and private) to achieve large-scale change. The articulation of five key principles provides a roadmap that partnerships can follow. The case studies illustrate the practical application of the framework, making the concept more tangible and relatable for a wide range of organisations. The collective impact model is adaptable to various contexts, issue and places. Since its publication, the concept of collective impact has been widely adopted in different countries and influenced numerous social initiatives, funding strategies and policies. The article serves as a call to action for leaders across sectors to rethink how they approach social change. It encourages a shift from short-term, individual efforts to long-term, collective strategies, inspiring more sustainable impact. This clear and actionable framework is a great starting point for achieving place-based change.

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