Overview

Project Type
Thesis

Duration
1 year

Year
2023

Read the full case study here

Maximize Social Impact by Design

This thesis explores how design management can help grassroots nonprofit organizations adopt an ecosystem approach to maximize social impact through innovative programs. It emphasizes the interplay between design management, ecosystem thinking, nonprofit program design, and innovation. By fostering strategic partnerships among nonprofits, communities, and donors, the approach promotes shared goals for greater and lasting impact.

Problem

In an era of increasing needs and limited resources, nonprofits are challenged to create more value with fewer resources, significantly impacting their capacity to make effective change.

Solution

A nonprofit program design toolkit that increases social impact and innovation while optimizing resources. The product features:

  • Integrated design thinking with the Theory of Change framework

  • A step-by-step manual for practical implementation

  • Team-based activities that encourage creative problem-solving

  • Templates and tools for tailored solutions

  • Involvement of beneficiaries and stakeholders

Problem Definition

Problem Statement

In an era of increasing needs and limited resources, nonprofits are challenged to create more value with fewer resources, significantly impacting their capacity to make effective change.

Umbrella Statement

How might we utilize the practice of design management to establish an ecosystem approach for grassroots nonprofit organizations, enabling the maximization of social impact through innovative programs?

Hypothesis

Nonprofit programs that adopt an ecosystem approach can maximize social impact through strategic partnerships among nonprofits, communities, and donors, promoting shared goals for greater impact and long-term success.

DESIGN WITH IMPACT IN MIND

Research & Discovery

Research Insights

Observations

  • Pitch-Based Funding Competition

  • Impact Strategy Session

  • Strategic Planning Session

Online Survey

  • NPO Ecosystem

Expert Interviews

  • NPO Founders

  • NPO Executive Directors

  • Funders

  • Venture Capitalists

  • STEM Program Coordinator

  • Students

Key Insights

Insight 1: Funding

  • Funding, community needs, and ecosystem recourses are interconnected

  • Challenges include securing consistent funding, allocation, and capacity development.

  • NPOs innovate creatively despite limitations, with funding as a critical common thread.

Insight 2: KPIs and Metrics

  • Social innovation includes creating valuable KPIs for qualitative social impact measurement for NPOs, funders, and recipients

Design Criteria

How do you know which design criteria to use?

  • Universal Usage

  • Mission Alignment

  • Strategic Planning

  • Support for NPO Leaders

  • Design Thinking

  • Stakeholder Feedback

  • Clear KPIs and OKRs

  • Ecosystem Maps

INSIGHTS LEAD TO:

Innovation

Meaningful Change

Purposeful Planning

Accountability

Community-Centric

Transformation

Analysis & Advice

Insights: Observations

Effective Communication

  • Clarity of Impact

  • Storytelling

  • Networking

  • Feedback and Improvement

Mission Alignment

  • Accountability

Impact

  • Efficiency

  • Effectiveness

Resource Allocation

  • Sustainability

Insights: Surveys

  • Strategic Planning: Essential for success.

  • Challenges: Funding, Resources, Expertise.

  • Drivers of Innovation: Funding, Technology, Training.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Important for collaboration.

  • Measuring Success: Diverse approaches.

  • Feedback and Improvement: Vital for growth.

  • Collaboration: Essential with ecosystem partners.

Insights: Interviews

Insight 1: Funding

  • Funding, community needs, and ecosystem resources are interconnected.

  • Challenges include securing consistent funding, allocation, and capacity development.

  • NPOs innovate creatively despite limitations, with funding as a critical common thread.

Insight 2: KPIs and Metrics

  • Social innovation includes creating valuable KPIs for qualitative social impact measurement for NPOs, funders, and recipients.

Implementation & Impact

Nonprofit Program Design Toolkit

Product Features:

  • Integrated design thinking with the Theory of Change framework

  • A step-by-step manual for practical implementation

  • Team-based activities that encourage creative problem-solving

  • Templates and tools for tailored solutions

  • Involvement of beneficiaries and stakeholders

What is the Theory of Change Framework?



The Theory of Change Framework (ToC) is vital for organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate their social impact initiatives. (Sopact, n.d.)

Design Management Methods

  • Design Thinking Principles

  • Stakeholder Feedback

  • Ecosystem Mapping

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)

Conclusion

The Theory of Change (ToC) Concept Facilitation

  1. Confidence Building: Design thinking empowers creative problem-solving; confidence grows with practice.

  2. Information Integration: Each stage in design thinking contributes to the final outcome, emphasizing interconnectedness.

  3. Emotional Engagement: Design thinking is personal and taps into emotions, fostering empathy.

  4. Time Constraints: Workshop time investment leads to more efficient resource use in the long run.

  5. Team Dynamics: Unbiased facilitation is vital to manage disagreements and ensure productive workshops.

  6. Stakeholder Engagement: Gaining insights from various stakeholders is valuable for comprehensive program design.

  7. Change Resistance: Design thinking can enhance existing processes and should be communicated as such.

  8. KPI Development: More time allows for clear, achievable KPIs aligned with program objectives.

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