Toolkit/Guide
Systems Thinker
The Systems Thinker has been published by Pegasus Communications since the early 1980’s.
Toolkit/Guide
Systems Innovation Platform
Systems innovation is a new approach to innovation that tries to tackle complex systemic challenges through the use of systems thinking and new technologies.
Report/Book/Article
Systems Change Philanthropy Landscape
The global pandemic has exposed weakness in systems that serve the public and set back prospects for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Toolkit/Guide
Presencing Institute Resources
The Presencing Institute was founded in 2006 by MIT Sloan School of Management Senior Lecturer Otto Scharmer and colleagues to create an action research platform at the intersection of science, consciousness, and profound social and organizational change.
Toolkit/Guide
NetworkWeaver's Resources
The Network Weaver Consultants Network is a loosely affiliated group of consultants who provide a wide range of network services for organizations, networks and communities.
Toolkit/Guide
Indie Philanthropy Toolkit
Indie Philanthropy is a creative disruption to the status quo of funding. It
Toolkit/Guide
H3Uni Resource Library
Whatever your interest in transformation and your particular field of operation, this Resource Library is relevant to increasing your effectiveness and that of those with whom you work.
Initiative/Network
Donella Meadows Project
The mission of the Donella Meadows Project is to preserve Donella (Dana) H. Meadows’s legacy as an inspiring leader, scholar, writer, and teacher; to manage the intellectual property rights
Toolkit/Guide
Development Impact & You — Tools to Support Social Innovation
This is a toolkit on how to invent, adopt or adapt ideas that can deliver better results. It’s quick to use, simple to apply, and designed to help busy people working in development.
Toolkit/Guide
Community Tool Box
Millions of people use the Community Tool Box each year to get help taking action, teaching, and training others in organizing for community development.
Toolkit/Guide
CoCreative's Tools
We develop, test, and refine a lot of powerful tools to help people solve complex problems together—and we share freely.
Toolkit/Guide
Beautiful Rising Toolbox
Beginning in 2014, Beautiful Trouble partnered with ActionAid International and frontline social movement activists across the Global South to develop a toolkit of social movement resources by and for global changemakers.
Report/Book/Article
Alliance Special Feature: Systems Change
Philanthropy and systems approaches are an obvious coupling but the future of their relationship remains far from clear. This special feature explores a growing aspiration to achieve system-level change, taking a more self-critical look than is usually fo
Initiative/Network
Transformational Change Learning Partnership
To minimize catastrophic climate change and be prepared and resilient in the face of it, we must fundamentally transform entire systems.
Course/Experience
Systems Practice Course
With so many interconnected forces at play in our complex world, it’s easy to get discouraged by detours or dead ends when striving to create enduring change.
Toolkit/Guide
Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
Solving today’s pressing problems requires impacting the bigger picture — the systems we live and work in.
Course/Experience
Systems Change Education Programs—a global directory
The Transformations Community System Change Directory is the world's first global directory of system change education programs. This is an initiative of the Transformations Community, which supports transitions to a sustainable and regenerative world by
Course/Experience
Systems Change Crash Course
Ashoka's Systems Change Crash Course is a video-led journey to help you find ways to think more innovatively about your approach to social change.
Toolkit/Guide
Philanthropy Framework and Self-Assessment
Created with input from leaders from more than 50 foundations worldwide, the Philanthropy Framework seeks to address fundamental changes in philanthropy and the world such as generational shifts in attitudes, massive wealth creation, diversity of capital,
Course/Experience
Investors in Change
A modular online learning journey in three parts running from March to June 2021
Course/Experience
EDGE Funders Alliance
EDGE Funders Alliance organizes within philanthropy to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the interconnected nature of the social, economic and ecological crises threatening our common future. EDGE works to increase resources for communities and
Initiative/Network
African Philanthropy Forum's Systems Change Programme
In 2020, the African Philanthropy Forum partnered with Bertha centre for the first to deliver the APF Systems Change [Programme](https://apfsystemschange.co.za/). The APF systems change programme was launched with the objective of addressing the systemic
Report/Book/Article
The Finance Innovation Lab: A Strategy for Systems Change
Our story began six years ago when we set out with a strong purpose of changing the financial system but with a big strategic gap in knowing how we might actually do it.
Initiative/Network
Systemic Solutions Initiative
How can we strengthen the nation’s capacity to solve entrenched social problems systemically?
Report/Book/Article
Scaling Out, Scaling Up, Scaling Deep: Advancing Systemic Social Innovation and the Learning Processes to Support It
To effect large system change, “niche” or local-level innovations must span spatial and institutional scales to achieve broader systemic impact.
Report/Book/Article
Lankelly Chase's Approach to Change
In 2012 we published a ‘[theory of change](https://lankellychase.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/LCF-Theory-of-Change.pdf)‘ that attempted to map how we thought our work might achieve change in the field of severe and multiple disadvantage. Our main ai
Report/Book/Article
In Their Own Words—Funders Share Stories of Change
In the winter of 2021-2022, CEP asked leaders from eight foundations to share — in their own words — the most important changes they have made at their foundation since 2020 that they plan to sustain going forward.
Report/Book/Article
Garfield Foundation's Advancing Systems Change Practices Program
In our journey to experiment and share what we’re learning about systems change tools and frameworks, we increasingly cross paths with social-action network leaders, facilitators, and philanthropic institutions
Report/Book/Article
Co-Impact Handbook
How can philanthropy best support systems change and gender justice? How can funders effectively and respectfully engage with program partners to strengthen and advance their own visions for change?
Toolkit/Guide
Signals of Transformational Change: Insights from the evaluation of transformational change in the Climate Investment Funds
This brief stems from work undertaken by independent evaluators from Itad as part of the Independent Evaluation of Transformational Change in the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the broader CIF Transformational Change Learning Partnership (TCLP).
Report/Book/Article
Sets of Principles for Evaluating Systems Change
valuation principles are now popping up everywhere. The Hewlett Foundation created its own set to help design internal (and contracted) evaluations of its granting programs (Twersky & Lindblom 2007).
Toolkit/Guide
Principles for Effective Use of Systems Thinking in Evaluation
Developed by the Systems in Evaluation Topical Interest Group of the American Evaluation Association this document is intended to support evaluators and evaluation stakeholders in the use of systems concepts in evaluation.
Toolkit/Guide
Learning, Measurement & Evaluation Guidebook
This Guidebook articulates Co-Impact’s approach to learning, measurement, and evaluation (LME). It seeks to improve our practice and help program partners achieve more impactful systems change and intersectional gender justice.
Report/Book/Article
How Do You Evaluate Systems Change? A Place to Start
At FSG, we have learned a lot from our partners about what it takes to shift systems. And we’ve often been asked – how do you evaluate systems change? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question.
Toolkit/Guide
Guide to Evaluating Collective Impact
A practical handbook that presents a framework for approaching evaluation and includes sample questions, outcomes, and indicators.
Toolkit/Guide
Evaluating Systems Change
The increased focus of social innovators on changing systems must be matched by a an increased focus by evaluators. This is anything but straightforward.
Toolkit/Guide
Evaluating Ecosystem Investment
More foundations are embracing systems change as a component of their strategy.
Report/Book/Article
Evaluating Complexity: Propositions for Improving Practice
Over the last several years, there has been an increasing realization in the social sector that systemic change is not linear, predictable, or controllable.
Initiative/Network
Equitable Evaluation
Equitable Evaluation Initiative's mission is to build a sustainable field of leaders who are re-imagining the purpose and practice of evaluation to advance equity and expand notions of objectivity , validity, rigor and embrace complexity.
Toolkit/Guide
Emergent Learning
People’s first exposure to Emergent Learning tends to be using one or two tools to support a group’s conversation about its work.
Toolkit/Guide
Blue Marble Evaluation
Design, implementation, and evaluation are typically treated as separate functions dealt with sequentially by different people with different roles who don’t communicate with each other.
Report/Book/Article
Assessing Systems Change: A Funders' Workshop Report
As part of our Scaling Solutions Toward Shifting Systems Initiative, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) and the Initiative’s Steering Group members hosted a 3-day residential program in August to improve understanding and practices in monitoring and
Toolkit/Guide
A Developmental Evaluation Primer
A Developmental Evaluation Primer
Initiative/Network
Trust-based Philanthropy Project
As grantmakers, we have a responsibility to confront the ways our sector has contributed to systemic inequities, both in the ways wealth is accumulated and in the ways its dissemination is controlled.
Toolkit/Guide
Systems, Power, and Gender: Perspectives on Transformational Change
This initiative aims to support the inclusive transformation of systems, by bringing to the fore the issue of power, specifically as considered through the lens of gender.
Report/Book/Article
Systems Change & Deep Equity: Pathways Toward Sustainable Impact
Transformative change towards love, dignity, and justice requires deeply embedding equity into all systems change efforts.
Report/Book/Article
Shifting Power to Shift Systems: Insights and Tools for Funders—Power and Equity Workshop Series Summary Report
ver the course of three months in early 2022, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Shifting Systems Initiative hosted an eight-part Power and Equity Workshop Series.
Toolkit/Guide
Resonance Framework
Like all other forms of wealth in the United States, philanthropic wealth can be directly traced back to industries that relied on economic practices of extraction and exploitation.
Report/Book/Article
Q&A: Ford Foundation puts the grantee 'in the driver's seat'
How did the design of BUILD represent a departure from the way the Ford Foundation was making grants?
Toolkit/Guide
Power Moves: Your essential philanthropy assessment guide for equity and justice
Toolkit/Guide
Equitable Grantmaking Continuum
In the funding world, some dollars are unrestricted and build an organization’s autonomy. Other dollars come with lots of strings attached and a huge amount of paperwork
Report/Book/Article
The Role of Risk in Funding Systems Change and How to Manage It
Funding systems change initiatives and innovations is inevitably risky. A growing number of foundations globally are interested in funding from a systems change perspective
Report/Book/Article
The Funding Landscape: Nonprofit Perspectives on Current Issues in Philanthropy
The nonprofit perspective is an essential one for philanthropic funders to consider when it comes to any number of issues. After all, nonprofit staff and volunteers are the ones doing the critical work on the front lines, providing support and creating
Report/Book/Article
The Evolving Operating System of Philanthropy
The Evolving Operating System of Philanthropy
Report/Book/Article
Supporting System Changers: The role of system thinking, leadership, and wellbeing
Based on our observations, we believe that these features are essential components of effective entrepreneurial support, and that they can play a crucial role in helping social entrepreneurs to create equitable, lasting change.
Toolkit/Guide
Social Change Networks Playbook
he challenges that the world faces today, from climate change to highly unequal economic and social structures cannot be solved by one organisation, government or institution alone.
Initiative/Network
Shifting Systems Initiative
Realizing that the world’s pressing challenges are becoming more complex, many philanthropic funders are reflecting on how to create more transformational impact.
Toolkit/Guide
Seven Steps for Funding System Change
Ashoka Fellows frequently report that their most impactful work – the kind that is focused on system change – is generally the least funded. This presents a clear challenge and opportunity for funders to grow the impact of their funding by adopting a syst
Toolkit/Guide
Risk Management Toolkit
his Toolkit is the first practical, comprehensive framework providing guidance to funders on how to implement best practices in risk management.
Toolkit/Guide
Philanthropy, Systems and Change
This work investigates the roles philanthropy can take in contributing to change in systems, with the aim of supporting systems-curious foundations to inform their philanthropic approach.
Report/Book/Article
Philanthropy Needs a New Playbook to Fund Systems Change
This is the decade that matters for delivering on our most existential social problems. In 10 years, we will look back and ask ourselves — whether on climate change, on the health of democratic societies across the globe, on inequality and human rights an
Report/Book/Article
Partnering for Philanthropic Impact
Foundations have a hugely important and unique role: as partners, as funders, as drivers of innovation, and as catalysts for collective action. Many Foundations are already using – or desire to use – partnering to maximise their impact
Report/Book/Article
Leading systems change: nine strategies to transform the way the world works
We know that we are facing increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, from poverty and water scarcity to rising global temperatures and crashing biodiversity.
Initiative/Network
Illuminate Network
The current field of practice provides valuable frameworks, processes and tools to help guide and deepen the transformations that are needed.
Report/Book/Article
How to Spur Radical Change
How to Spur Radical Change
Report/Book/Article
How Philanthropy Can Support Systems-Change Leaders
Success in solving complex social problems frequently hinges on the work of organizations that harmonize the action of myriad actors—often referred to as field catalysts, systems orchestrators, or coalitions.
Report/Book/Article
Funding Systems Change: Challenges and Opportunities
Many foundations across the world are increasingly interested in systems change. They understand that creating real and lasting change takes more than just grants and endowments. They recognize that they are not individual agents working alone to solve a
Report/Book/Article
Funding Movement Infrastructure
his report is the second in Building Movement Project’s (BMP) Movement Infrastructure Series. Funding Movement Infrastructure (January 2023) draws upon our ongoing work to encourage philanthropic institutions to support social movements.
Report/Book/Article
Fostering Systems Change: Five Simple Rules for Foundations Seeking to Create Lasting Social Change
Systems change in the social sector seems like an idea whose time has come. Several major foundations, including the [Ford Foundation](http://ford%20foundation/), the [Robert Wood Johnson Foundation](http://www.rwjf.org/en/library/annual-reports/president
Report/Book/Article
Expanding Your Comfort Zone: A Window into Risk in Family Philanthropy
Philanthropy is often described as society’s “risk capital.” Our generosity can support causes and ideas that business and government agencies cannot or will not. We can use our resources to inspire new ideas, challenge existing thinking.
Report/Book/Article
Embracing Complexity: Towards a Shared Understanding of Funding Systems Change
The report is the result of collaboration between Ashoka and McKinsey & Company, as well as social entrepreneurs from Catalyst 2030, Co-Impact, Echoing Green, Schwab and Skoll and SystemIQ.
Report/Book/Article
Ecosystems for Systems Change
Ecology has long informed social innovation work. As one of the most robust ways of thinking about complex systems and system dynamics, ecology offers a powerful framework for considering the conditions of a system, emergence, and adapation.
Toolkit/Guide
Creative Coalitions: A Handbook for Change
his is a Handbook for people seeking to work with others to change the world. In today’s world, the injustices we’re trying to overcome, the progress we’re trying to realise - they’re too complex to bring about alone
Toolkit/Guide
Collective Impact Forum
Too many organizations are workingin isolation from one another. Collective impact brings people together, in a structured way, to achieve social change. Since the 2011 Stanford Social Innovation Review article introduced the concept, collective impact h
Report/Book/Article
BUILD: There's no going back to the old ways of philanthropy
Report/Book/Article
Beyond Organizational Scale: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Systems Change
Report/Book/Article
A New Mindset for Philanthropists
Report/Book/Article
What it Really Takes to Influence Funder Practice
Report/Book/Article
Unicorns Unite
Report/Book/Article
Peer to peer: At the heart of influencing more effective philanthropy
Toolkit/Guide
Making It Happen: A Conversation Guide
Report/Book/Article
How We Shift the Status Quo in Philanthropy
Report/Book/Article
What are the capabilities we need for system change?
Report/Book/Article
Transformative Project Design
Report/Book/Article
Transformational Change Concepts
This document summarizes the latest understanding of the transformational change concepts originally developed by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Transformational Change Learning Partnership (TCLP) in 2017.
Report/Book/Article
Tools for System Thinkers: Systems Mapping
Systems thinking requires a shift in our perception of the world around us. In order to build a new multidimensional thinking framework, we need to discover the dynamics and interconnectedness of the systems at play.
Report/Book/Article
Thinking in Systems: A Primer
"This book has been distilled out of the wisdom of thirty years of systems modeling and teaching carried out by dozens of creative people ... [However], you should be warned that this book, like all books, is biased and incomplete. There is much, much mor
Toolkit/Guide
Thinking big: How to use theory of change for systems change
Systems change is helping a range of charities, funders and practitioners to deal with the root causes of social problems.
Toolkit/Guide
Theory of Change Thinking in Practice
Hivos values working with Theory of Change (ToC) as an appropriate approach to guide its strategic thinking and action, as well as its collaborative action with others.
Report/Book/Article
The Water of Systems Change
Foundations involved in systems change can increase their odds for success by focusing on the least explicit but most powerful conditions for change, while also turning the lens on themselves.
Report/Book/Article
Systems Thinking for Social Change
Donors, leaders of nonprofits, and public policy makers usually have the best of intentions to serve society and improve social conditions. But often their solutions fall far short of what they want to accomplish and what is truly needed.
Report/Book/Article
Systems Innovation
Over the past few years there has been growing interest in systemic innovation. We are defining this as an interconnected set of innovations, where each influences the other, with innovation both in the parts of the system and in the ways in which they in
Toolkit/Guide
Systems Change: A guide to what it is and how to do it
Systems change has been attracting the attention of a range of progressive charities, funders and practitioners who are interested in dealing with the root causes of social problems.
Toolkit/Guide
System Practice
This workbook is ideal for people working on complex problems across any field of social change who want to make sustainable social impact, whether working at a community or global scale.
Initiative/Network
System Innovation Initiative
This is an initiative to connect knowledge and practice on system innovation to leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who want to have more systemic impact and meet big, shared societal challenges in new ways. ... We will be working with system innovation
Report/Book/Article
Social Change Ecosystem Map
In our lives and as part of movements and organizations, many of us play different roles in pursuit of equity, shared liberation, inclusion, and justice. And yet, we often get lost and confused, or we are newcomers to ongoing social change efforts and don
Video/Audio
Simplifying Complexity (TED Talk)
Ecologist Eric Berlow doesn't feel overwhelmed when faced with complex systems. He knows that more information can lead to a better, simpler solution. Illustrating the tips and tricks for breaking down big issues, he distills an overwhelming infographic o
Report/Book/Article
Mastering System Change
Organizations are increasingly turning to system change to tackle big social problems. But systems are complex, and mastering the process requires observation, patience, and reflection. To begin, here are two approaches to pursuing system change.
Report/Book/Article
Impact = Influence + Leverage + Learning
Too many social change efforts are deemed as “failures” when the number of people who are hungry, poor or uneducated doesn’t substantially change in the predicted time frame. The same goes for environmental impact strategies that focus on protection of he
Report/Book/Article
How Field Catalysts Accelerate Collective Impact
The collective impact framework has gained interest worldwide for mobilizing high-impact and lasting change on a broad array of complex social issues. As highlighted [in this series](https://ssir.org/collective_impact_10_years_later), for the past decade,
Toolkit/Guide
Bounce Beyond’s Core Concepts
Bounce Beyond's unique foundation is a few core concepts arising from extensive research and practice. These emphasize the value of taking a transformations systems approach that transcends and incorporates concepts like movements and networks. This provi
Course/Experience
A system leader's fieldbook
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