Skip to main content

Building capacity for innovation in the social sector

Building capacity for innovation in the social sector
Resource

Building capacity for innovation in the social sector

Charities and nonprofits are trying to address some of society's most challenging problems: poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental health, and environmental degradation, to name just a few. Tackling these problems requires both innovation and systems-level change.

Universities hold significant potential as partners for charities and nonprofits seeking innovation. Indeed, there are numerous instances of successful campus-community collaborations. However, these partnerships often prioritize the 'campus' over the 'community.'

This report discusses the social sector’s interest in innovation and the factors affecting its innovation capacity. The authors argue that it is time for campus-community partnerships that build on reciprocity and genuine collaboration to foster real innovation and systems change.

DOWNLOAD 

Andrew Troup, Narissa Kanju, David Wighton & Christi Cruz
Related blog post

Corporate Giving in a Time of Rapid Change: What We Heard in Edmonton

As part of the PRISM Network Learning Series, we gathered in person for a reception and panel discussion: Steady in the Storm: Corporate Giving in a Time of Rapid Change. The conversation was equal parts sobering and energizing: a look at the pressures squeezing community investment in Alberta and across the globe, and an honest chat on whether the way we've always done this still works.

Devon Ayer

Related Resource

People First: A Portrait of Canada’s Nonprofit Workforce