The Social Sector often uses basic tools, like hammers and nails to change the world. Instead, we need power tools. Our weekly blog, Social TrendSpotter provides you with the latest trends and ideas within the social sector. It merges current thinking with the edge of innovation to inspire, to motivate and to take action so we can all ultimately create a better sector. Social TrendSpotter includes original analysis, but also highlights the latest sector-wide thinking into a user-friendly resource where social sector professionals and students alike can draw inspiration, share ideas and develop new thinking on best practices.
We love when the best “Social TrendSpotters” – you – share your experiences, observations and suggestions with us. Share your ideas here, and follow us on Facebook (@socialimpactarchitects), LinkedIn (@social-impact-architects),Twitter (@socialtrendspot) or Instagram (@socialtrendspot) for our latest posts and other insights.
State of Social Enterprise 2016 (Crowd-sourced!)
Compiled by Rolfe Larson and Janine Vanderburg on January 12, 2016 After greeting 2016 with enthusiasm and hope, we at Social Impact Architects wanted to take a closer look at new insights coming from the field of social enterprise that will help shape...
2016 Nonprofit Trends: Focusing on System Change
The father of Total Quality Management, William Edwards Deming, was famous for saying, “A bad system will beat a good person every time.” After a decade of work in the social sector, I came across this quote and it was a life-changing moment. It spoke to me and...
Favorite Inspirations to Celebrate the Holidays 2015
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Nonprofit Trends & Inspiration: Top 5 TrendSpotter Favorites of 2015
Working in the social sector, the holidays can be a bittersweet time. While there is always excitement and magic in the air, and staff, volunteers and donors generously give their time and resources to make the holidays special for children in the...
How to Build a (Social) Revolution: Hacks from Tech Innovators – Part 2
After reflecting on Part 1 of our book review – How to Build a (Social) Revolution: Hacks from Tech Innovators, I came across one of my favorite quotes by Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something,...
All-You-Can-Read Holiday Buffet: 2015
We love the idea of holiday buffets – you get to sample lots of good food and try new things. We aim for the same notion with Social TrendSpotter – we hope you sample good content and learn about new things to try. As you know, we play in many spaces and...
Reasons We Are Thankful this Year
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How to Build a (Social) Revolution: Hacks from Tech Innovators – Part 1
When he won the Nobel Prize for his work on laser technology, Charles Townes quipped, “It’s like the beaver told the rabbit as they stared at the Hoover Dam. ‘No, I didn’t build it myself. But it’s based on an idea of mine.’” Cheekiness aside, this...
3 Things to Know Before Getting on the Pay for Success Bandwagon
It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of new trends that seem to be the solution to all our problems. This is especially the case for Pay For Success (PFS) contracts. They not only provide an infusion of private dollars in the face of shrinking...
