Independent Sector has joined forces with BBB Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar to buck the trend of failed (or faltering) attempts to identify commonalities in the nonprofit sector.  Common grant applications have not taken off.  Common outcomes are still uncommon.  Could this coalition produce a common framework for strategic thinking in the nonprofit sector?

In an effort titled “Charting Impact” this trio of coalition members has guided development of the following 5-question framework:

1. What is your organization aiming to accomplish?
2. What are your strategies for making this happen?
3. What are your organization’s capabilities for doing this?
4. How will your organization know if you are making progress?
5. What have and haven’t you accomplished so far?

The purpose, at a high level, is to provide nonprofits with a common structure for strategic thinking and a common vehicle for sharing their impact.  In a feedback session hosted by Independent Sector yesterday in DC, we met with Bridgespan, TCC Group, Arabella, The Center for Evaluation Innovation, and others to provide feedback on the framework and the rollout plan.  In particular, we discussed the following: 

• What incentive does the sector have to use the framework?
• Who will benefit most from this framework?  
• How can the ‘tipping point’ be reached?
• How would this framework extend beyond a one-time use?
• Should one sector pilot the framework first?  If so, which one?

These questions provided for an active discussion.  Resolution has yet to be reached.  Whatever common framework is developed must not only walk the fine line between form and flexibility, but have a clear value proposition to all parties.