A successful philanthropic initiative depends not just on the strategy pursued – but also on how that strategy is implemented. Implementation considerations can vary significantly based on the shape of an initiative – starting a new organization can look very different than investing in a portfolio of existing organizations. This report looks at four “models” for implementing initiatives. These don’t represent an exhaustive set of potential models to pursue or even the highest potential models. Rather, these are four examples of models, each of which has significant potential for impact when chosen wisely and executed well. The report outlines the considerations involved in choosing to pursue each of these models and findings on how to implement them, drawn from real-world experience.
Download the report in its entirety, or quickly find detailed information about a specific implementation model below. We hope these insights are useful to funders as they design and implement ambitious investments.
Create a new nonprofit intermediary that provides support and coordination across a field and/or grantee portfolio
Invest in one or a few existing nonprofit intermediaries that provide support and coordination across a field and/or grantee portfolio (excludes funding or direct service)
Invest in activities to guide and enable governments to change their practices in order to achieve a social impact goal; “advocacy” is defined as guiding changes in practice broadly, rather than a single policy
Invest in activities to influence corporations to change their practices in order to achieve a social impact goal