Collective Impact is working with the Joint Commission on Sports Medicine and Science (JCSMS) to introduce and engage its membership in the Collective Impact approach. JCSMS serves as a convener and catalyst for cooperative ventures. The Collective Impact approach is a commitment of a group of individuals from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem, using a structured form of collaboration. The concept of collective impact hinges on the idea that organizations need to coordinate their efforts and work together around a clearly defined goal if they are to create lasting solutions to social problems on a large-scale. This approach was highlighted in a Stanford Social Innovation Review article titled “Collective Impact”. More recently, with financial support from the Wallace Foundation, the Teachers College of Columbia University engaged in research relating to collective engagement around education reform. Their report (Collective Impact and the New Generation of Cross-Sector Collaborations for Education) describes the development of cross-sector collaborations and presents findings from a scan of initiatives across the United States. With assistance from Collective Impact, JCSMS membership is exploring how the model might be used to address relevant issues facing their individual organizations and JCSMS is assessing and planning the launch of its own initiative focused on the opioid epidemic.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) contracted with Collective Impact to conduct a qualitative market research analysis including sales trend, customer satisfaction, product needs, product development, and marketing and advertising. The project culminated with the development of a summary report with key conclusions and strategic recommendations. The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential. This was AFB’s our motto when they opened their doors in 1921, and it continues to guide them today. As a national nonprofit with offices in five US cities, AFB is a leader in expanding possibilities for the more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss by championing access and equality, and standing at the forefront of new technologies.

“Bruce Decker’s knowledge of the Appalachian region, including systems of care, funders, and providers has been invaluable for the Appalachia Funders Network’s (AFN) Health Working Group.  AFN’s Health Working Group has engaged Bruce a number of times to facilitate our regional meetings – he offers a good balance of member-to-member learning, narrowing of focus / opportunities, and actionable next steps – as well as fun, educational group/team activities.  Bruce is organized, responsive, an excellent listener, and easy to work with.” ~ Terri Donlin Huesman, Co-Chair, Health Working Group, Columbus, OH

How can we get people more engaged, more productive, and happier at work? Is technology part of the problem – and could it also be part of the solution? Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer at Microsoft, imagines what might be possible if more organizations embraced the full, empowering potential of technology and encouraged a truly open, collaborative and flexible working culture. Click here!