Collective Impact

In 2011, the Stanford Social Innovation Review published an article introducing the term “collective impact” to refer to “the commitment of a group of important actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem”. In follow-up articles, the journal featured the Communities that Care Coalition as an example of a successful collective impact initiative–bringing national attention to the coalition. The coalition has since been profiled on the Collective Impact Forum website, and coalition leaders have made presentations about Communities That Care at conferences and workshops across the country. 
What makes collective impact different from ordinary collaborations are five conditions:

1. Common agenda: Participants have a shared vision for change, a common understanding of the problem, and a joint approach to solving it.
2. Shared measurement: Collecting data and measuring results supports alignment of efforts and accountability.
3. Mutually reinforcing activities: Participants each have a unique role and these roles reinforce one another.
4. Continuous communication: Open communication builds trust and creates motivation.
5. Backbone support: Dedicated staff provide the backbone for the initiative and coordinate participating organizations.  

For a two-minute video on collective impact, click here.