Stanford Social Innovation Review : Informing and inspiring leaders of social change

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Articles

 
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Nonprofits

Soup Kitchen Confidential

To share its expertise without jeopardizing its mission, FareStart spun out a new organization.

By Robert Jungerhans | Fall 2008
 
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Social Innovations

The Cultural Touch

By tailoring its methods to local values and needs, Rare has slowly seeded conservation programs in 40 countries. Yet as more and more species teeter on the brink of extinction, the organization must expand quickly. Here's how the boutique nonprofit is delivering customized Rare Pride social marketing campaigns to millions of people in the planet's most fragile ecosystems.

By Suzie Boss | Fall 2008
 
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Social Innovations

Money to Grow On

In the for-profit world, the term "investment" has clear meaning and investors have sophisticated techniques for spotting and growing the most promising companies. Yet foundations and other nonprofit donors have not developed similar clarity or approaches. As a result, the nonprofit sector's greatest gems often languish well below their full potential. By better translating for-profit concepts, donors can learn how to scout out and grow the best nonprofits. Likewise, certain nonprofits can take a page from business's playbook and learn how to attract cash for expansion.

By William Foster | 4 | Fall 2008
 

Nonprofits

What’s Next: MBA Students Venture Out

MBA students turn their attention to social enterprise.

By Jennifer Roberts | 1 | Fall 2008
 

Philanthropy

Go Big or Go Home

One foundation's approach to maximum impact.

By Kevin Starr | Fall 2008
 
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Nonprofits

Tackling HIV

Grassroot Soccer uses the world’s most popular sport to educate kids in sub-Saharan Africa about HIV and its prevention.

By Corey Binns | Summer 2008
 
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Nonprofits

Books to Grow On

How did Room to Read create more than 5,000 libraries in less than eight years? The media have largely focused on founder John Wood as the catalytic figure in the organization's success story. Of equal importance, however, is Room to Read's solid and replicable operational choices.

By Aaron Dalton | Summer 2008
 
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Social Innovations

The Equity Capital Gap

For-profit businesses can efficiently and quickly raise large amounts of money to fund growth and innovation by tapping equity capital—money that people invest in a company in return for ownership and a share of profits. The nonprofit world has no corollary, making it difficult, costly, and time-consuming to raise money. In this article the author explores ways that nonprofits and funders can create their own version of equity capital, and, just as important, develop an equity approach to doing business.

By Clara Miller | 2 | Summer 2008
 
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Nonprofits

Achieving Breakthrough Performance

From the Girl Scouts, to Partners In Health, to the city of Providence, R.I., great organizations have one thing in common: great managers. These managers, in turn, share four simple management principles that they use to guide organizations from mere mediocrity to stand-out stardom.

By Mark Gottfredson, Steve Schaubert, & Elisabeth Babcock | 4 | Summer 2008
 

Nonprofits

The Toughest Job You’ll Never Get

Would-be EDs cite inadequate mentoring, low pay, and poor lifestyle as career obstacles.

By Alana Conner | Summer 2008