1st Edition

Measuring and Improving Social Impacts A Guide for Nonprofits, Companies and Impact Investors

By Marc J. Epstein, Kristi Yuthas Copyright 2014

    Identifying, measuring and improving social impact is a significant challenge for corporate and private foundations, charities, NGOs and corporations. How best to balance possible social and environmental benefits (and costs) against one another? How does one bring clarity to multiple possibilities and opportunities? Based on years of work and new field studies from around the globe, the authors have written a book for managers that is grounded in the best academic and managerial research.It is a practical guide that describes the steps needed for identifying, measuring and improving social impact. This approach is useful in maximizing the impact of different types of investments, including grants and donations, impact investments, and commercial investments.With numerous examples of actual organizational approaches, research into more than fifty organizations, and extensive practical guidance and best practices, Measuring and Improving Social Impacts fills a critical gap.

    PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: What Will You Invest?1. The Social Impact Creation Cycle2. Understanding the InvestorPart 2: What Problem Will You Address?3. Understanding the Problem4. Understanding the Investment OptionsPart 3: What Steps Will You Take?5. How Social Impacts are Created6. Linking Actions to ImpactsPart 4: How Will You Measure Success?7. Measurement Basics8. Measurement Approaches9. Measuring Your ImpactPart 5 How Can You Increase Impact?10. Social Impact Measurement Maturity11. Amplifying Your Impact12. Call to ActionSocial Impact Self-AssessmentNotesBibliographyIndexAbout the Authors

    Biography

    Epstein, Marc J.; Yuthas, Kristi

    I congratulate Marc Epstein and Kristi Yuthas on producing a book that may well prove to be for some readers, especially for leaders in nonprofits, the most valuable they will read this year and perhaps in years to come. - Bob Morris, Employee Engagement Network