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.
Is Impact Investing the Social Sector’s Lottery Ticket?
As we predicted last year, impact investing (making investments into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention of generating both measurable social and environmental impact along with a financial return) has been trending as a topic of conversation at not...
The Simple Math of Volunteer Stewardship
After seven health questionnaires, nine blood tests, a physical exam, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, five injections of medication and 11 hours of plasmapheresis, Brandi Tanaka, senior consultant at Social Impact Architects, donated what we hope will be life-saving...
Advanced Thinking on Developing a Theory of Change
Like the Camel Thorn tree that thrives in the arid climate of Namibia thanks to a deep network of roots, theory of change (ToC) may provide stability to social programs through a similar network of roots. By delving deep into an issue, ToC can...
Coopeting for the Gold Medal Using Theory of Change
This week, we are reporting from the winter Olympic games in Sochi. Among stories receiving the greatest buzz is the iconic image of Canada’s Dufour-Lapointe sisters holding hands as they received gold and silver medals in women’s freestyle moguls. With their eyes on...
Beyond Housing 2014 LIVE
We have experienced an interesting time of reflection this month – between the 50th Anniversary of the War on Poverty and the 85th birthday of Martin Luther King, which caused us to remember and reflect on 50 years of the Civil Rights Movement. The...
2014 Nonprofit Trends: Focusing on Building Better Nonprofits
Like many of you, we have been wrestling with the 21st century: What will it be? What should it be called? With hindsight, we are clear that the 18th century was the Agricultural Age, the 19th Century was the Industrial Age, and the 20th Century was the Information...
Favorite Inspirations to Celebrate the Holidays 2013
All-You-Can-Read Holiday Buffet: 2013
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...
Nonprofit Trends & Inspiration: Top 5 TrendSpotter Favorites of 2013
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, we present you the short and sweet list of favorite TrendSpotter blogs of 2013. After all the meals are served, gifts delivered, and donations acknowledged, we invite you to pause a moment, take...
