Mission Measurement Thought Scraps Feed

Social Innovation for the Fortune 500

Cheryl — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:12:39 -0800

Mission Measurement’s corporate practice is based on a simple premise: By focusing on the value of social impact outcomes, we can develop new corporate strategies that drive profit while doing good.

We call it the Social Value Proposition (SVP). It’s that sweet spot where profit intersects social impact. And it’s gaining traction with companies—from family-run mom and pops to the Fortune 50.

Over the last year, we’ve seen our approach to SVP-based strategies build momentum, as we formed partnerships with standard-bearers like PepsiCo, McDonalds, BMO Harris Bank, Cisco and The Walt Disney Company.

Social Entrepreneurship Takes Off

Pranav — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:34:04 -0800

One of the great pleasures of being at the forefront of a movement like social entrepreneurship is to witness its evolution and progress from the front row. Opportunities to work with new start-ups are the best chance to see what the next-generation of social innovators is doing with the ideas we pioneered.

I recently had the opportunity to serve as a mentor to three up-and-coming social entrepreneurs in Chicago who focus on education and youth development outcomes.

Guide to Outcomes-based Strategies and Brainstorms

Cheryl — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:53:06 -0700

Download Measurement Drives Strategy: A Guide to Outcomes-Based Strategic Planning and Program Design

Restoring Civility in the Public Sector: A Recap of the 37th Annual Donors Forum Luncheon

vdao — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:02:25 -0700

Boeing, Walgreens, the Speh Foundation, Crowe Horwath LLP, the MacArthur Foundation, Easter Seals, the American Cancer Society—and Mission Measurement were among the corporations and organizations that lined the tables in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel.

What could draw such an impressive roster? The Donors Forum Luncheon.

On Wednesday, June 29th the Donors Forum held their 37th annual luncheon which offered nonprofit leaders, grantmakers, corporations, consultants, and civil servants the opportunity to discuss and learn about critical issues currently facing the nation, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Noted columnist

Standardized Testing vs. Education Measurement

Rick — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:30:34 -0700

Settling the Debt: NYC’s Chance to Collect on Improving the Nonprofit Sector

vdao — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:30:30 -0700

New York City is giving nonprofits a reprieve. But will the City get any bang for its buck?

Next Steps in Corporate Reporting

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:54:36 -0700

Several weeks ago I wrote a post on corporate responsibility reporting and ended it with this thought – “More targeted metrics that tell the story of how CR initiatives have impacted both communities and the business would be at least a step in the right direction.” I recently came across some work done by two professors at the Harvard Business School that explores a burgeoning development in reporting which could prove to be one of these progressive steps. This development would help companies to better communicate their social impact in a more material and holistic way.

Sustainability is in, but is Excel?

jwhite — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:17:29 -0700

According to Accenture’s “A New Era of Sustainability” report, CEOs around the globe have begun to embrace sustainability and are bringing sustainability concepts out of their strategy groups and pushing them through their operations and supply chains. The report summarizes the findings of an extensive survey of more than 700 UN Global Compact members on sustainability topics. The report is optimistic, pointing to signs that business are starting to see the implications of not implementing sustainability efforts, and therefore starting to actively work towards operationalizing these efforts.

Charting Impact: A New Framework for the Sector

AHenry — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:33:36 -0700

Donors want to help charitable organizations make a difference, yet they often struggle to find succinct, consistent information about their investment options. Most of today's nonprofit databases and rating agencies rely too much on financial metrics. This frustrates donors who care about outcomes. It also frustrates nonprofits who want to be evaluated based on their results, not just an overhead ratio.

Just Do It: Nike's Leadership in Sustainable Business

Sbasak — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:24:01 -0700

Hannah Jones gets it.

Metrics, Measurement, and Money – The Potential Value of Social Impact Bonds

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:36:23 -0700

Last week I read an article on the Huffington Post’s Impact Blog that highlighted a relatively recent innovation in the realm of government finance - social impact bonds (SIBs). SIBs are bond offerings specifically designed to fund social outcomes. The premise behind this new idea is simple and makes a lot of intuitive sense.

Metrics and Microfinance

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:56:17 -0700

The microfinance industry seems to have gotten a lot of attention lately. Especially since Muhammad Yunus’ forced step down from his position at the head of Grameen bank in March, there’s been some renewed media interest in the microfinance movement, and the press certainly hasn’t all been positive. A recent article published by the U.K.’s The Independent adds to the chorus calling for reforms.

The Inability to Calculate for Profit

Rick — Mon, 09 May 2011 11:12:44 -0700

In response to a blog post on Education Week this morning, "Conservative 'Mainfesto Blasts Shared Curriculum, Tests", commentar Daniel J. Fallon said: "It is the inability to calculate for profit that destroys the rationality of tax funded schooling."

Recap: Building Illinois STEM Pathways

eransom — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:07:37 -0700

On April 28, I had the good fortune of attending the Illinois STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education Reform update meeting entitled “Building Illinois STEM Pathways to College and Career Readiness.” The event was co-sponsored by the Illinois Business Roundtable and the State of Illinois and was held at the Museum of Science and Industry. The meeting provided the 200-plus attendees with an extensive update on the state’s STEM related work. I did not know exactly what to expect going in, but I must admit that I came away impressed with what I observed and filled with hope that the state is serious about making progress in this critical area of education.

Measuring Happiness - A City's Search for the Right Metrics

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:55:35 -0700

The New York Times recently published an article highlighting the city of Somerville, Massachusetts - a city that's actually trying to measure its residents' happiness.

A New Measure for Classroom Quality, but To What End?

Rick — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:19:46 -0700

In his recent New York Times Op-Ed, R. Barker Bausell posits a new way to "assess teachers" -- the amount of time a teacher spends on delivering relevant instruction. The metric is perfectly reasonable; more relevant instruction results in more learning. But Bausell glosses over a crucial piece of the measurement puzzle: how the data is used.

Bread and Butter - A Business Doing What It Does Best for Social Good

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:01:33 -0700

I recently came across an article on the Standard Social Innovation Review that described Panera Bread's relatively new responsibility venture, its line of 'Panera Cares' cafes. These restaurants are intended to look and feel (and smell) like traditional Panera outlets, yet at Panera Cares cafes there are no prices. There are only suggested donations. The idea is to provide those in need, who might otherwise find themselves at a standard soup kitchen, with a venue where they can enjoy a meal in a warm, inviting, and comparatively dignified environment. The company's experiment with this model seems to be a success so far. The arti

Are Foundations Really Fulfilling their Mission?

Rick — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:25:02 -0700

The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently hosted a mock trial on whether foundations are really fulfilling their mission of "advancing the common good". As described by Caroline Preston, the foundations essentially lost (officially it was a hung jury), with 10 audience members voting that "philanthropy was guilty of falling short of its mission" and two dissenting.

Making It Count: How to Measure the Impact of Volunteerism

Sbasak — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:50:02 -0700

With arguably the most developed social sector and philanthropic market in the world, it’s safe to say that the people of the United States love to give. And while some can give money, many can and do give time. Volunteers are critical to the success of nonprofit organizations, yet these organizations continue to face challenges in fully capturing the value of this workforce.

Talking Community Service with Mayor Daley

jshepherd@missionmeasurement.com — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:15:25 -0700

Last Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast hosted by Chicago’s CR Group. The keynote speaker at the event was none other than Chicago’s Mayor Daley. His address was focused on a new citywide initiative entitled “One Good Deed Chicago”, a program designed to get more citizens invested in impactful volunteerism and community service in the city.