Highlights of Bridgespan's Research and Insights

Impact investing has boomed over the past decade, driven by the ethos that financial performance goes hand-in-hand with social and environmental impact. But more wealth holders now see the value of putting impact before investment, and prioritizing people and planet.

Philanthropic partnerships are having their day in the sun. Their impact could be even greater with a clearer path to investing in collaborative funds and a shift in donor mindsets.

It takes meaningful, intentional coordination across a social change field’s actors—field building—to spark change on a massive scale. Four key principles for funders can create conditions for field builders that accelerate their impact.

New research shares five recommendations for funders on how to find and fund these powerhouses for social change.

There’s a gap between funders’ perspectives on how much they support indirect costs and organisational development, and NGOs' perspectives on just how much funders are willing to support it. This research can help NGOs and funders bridge that divide.

Measuring the social and environmental benefits of impact investing has been largely guesswork. But a new methodology—the “impact multiple of money”—from Bridgespan and The Rise Fund helps change that.

How NGOs in India and Africa partner with communities that drive their own change in urban informal settlements.

Nonprofits can’t be sure how local, national, or even global events will affect society, the economy, or their own field. But they can navigate the uncertainty with greater confidence by building scenario plans.

Practical advice, tools and more for getting the most from the work of your nonprofit executive team.

Funders and NGOs have an opportunity to work together to bring more rungs of the mobility ladder within reach for these historically marginalised groups.

The Engine 1/Engine 2 concept can help nonprofits navigate the tension between continuing to run their core programs and services while simultaneously investing in innovation.

Developing a clear, effective strategy can be a long process full of difficult tradeoffs. One way to smooth the path is to clarify your nonprofit’s intended impact and theory of change.