Social impact news

June 2021 Social Impact News Roundup: Ecosystem Solutions

June 30, 2021 by Alexandra Nemeth

In June, we were inspired by the way that social impact organizations and their partners focused on building solutions not just for themselves, but for the entire ecosystem. Here are some highlights from June 2021:

Young People are Leading the Way

An alliance of 16 of the world’s leading youth social innovation networks conducted research to better understand the realities faced by young changemakers. Check out their key findings and recommendations here in the “The Possibilists” research report. One key message: If we want to support more young social innovators’, we need to build upon their strong local-international connections. Have a potential solution of your own? Submit it here for a chance to be connected to alliance members.

Leveraging Technology to Scale Outcomes in Global Health

Digital health has gained increasing importance, particularly as COVID-19 has challenged health access around the world. For example, ThinkMD, a social enterprise expanding access to healthcare through digital health solutions, recently partnered with Goodlife Pharmacy to support access to health for moms, babies and school-aged children across East Africa. Resonance recently hosted a webinar on the topic of infrastructure required for digital health to flourish, which you can check out here.

Building a Culture of Partnership to Support Ecosystems

We know that no single actor can solve the world’s biggest challenges on its own, but cross-sector collaboration is only as effective as the people who put it into practice. This thought leadership piece from Resonance shares more about how to build an internal culture of partnership at your organization. At the ecosystem level, a new report by Catalyst 2030 and Resonance highlights how (and why) corporations and social enterprises should partner to achieve the SDGs. We may be a little biased, but it’s a great report and features the work of MovingWorlds S-GRID!

Featured Experteering Projects

Looking for an opportunity to use your skills for good while challenging yourself to grow? You could be the perfect fit for one of this month’s featured projects from our S-GRID social enterprise network if you have any of the following:

Connections to the corporate textile procurement space: Maker’s Unite produces sustainable textiles by employing and upskilling refugees locally. The team is looking for someone to help them develop new connections to broaden their scope of corporate clients.
Expertise with systems, technology, and online learning management: Phoenix Space is focused on providing space science-focused STEM education to refugee and disadvantaged students in the Middle East. The team is looking for support developing a system for streaming lectures and conducting live Q&A sessions and upskilling the local team on running it.
Expertise in web design and e-commerce: 2nd Innings Handicrafts (2IH) is a social enterprise that works with NGOs to train women in India in the art and stitching, embroidery, and design. The team is looking to grow its revenues from other businesses (business to business sales) and needs support developing a high-quality B2B website and pitch deck.

Social Impact Job Opportunities

Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is hiring for a Senior Program Associate (Washington, D.C.)
Yunus Social Business is hiring for multiple positions, including:
- Managing Director – YSB Corporate (based in Berlin, flexible within EU)
- Brand & Communications Manager (based in Berlin)
- Business Development Manager – YSB Corporate (based in Berlin, flexible within EU)
Seattle International Foundation is hiring for the following positions (Spanish required):
- Program Manager (based in Costa Rica)
- Program Manager (based in Mexico)
- Program Assistant (based in El Salvador & Honduras)
Unilever Transform is hiring for a Global Sustainability Operations Coordinator (based in London, UK)
The University of Southern California’s Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab is hiring for a Managing Director (based in Los Angeles, CA)
Google is hiring for a Senior Program Manager, Supply Chain Supplier Responsibility (based in the San Francisco Bay Area)
Ceres is searching for a full-time Director to be a strategic advisor for our work with Company Network members in the electric power and transportation sectors (based in Boston, Massachusetts)
San Mateo County Community College District is hiring for Utility & Sustainability Specialist (based in San Mateo, CA)
CARE is hiring for an Emergency Planning & Preparedness Specialist (remote)
TechChange is hiring for a VP of Client Services & Delivery (based in Washington, D.C. or remote)
Village Capital is currently recruiting for a VP of Partnerships (based in Washington, D.C. or New York)
PATH is currently recruiting for multiple positions, including:
- Project Manager, Programs & Innovation (based in Seattle, WA or Washington, D.C.)
- Project Manager, Programs & Innovation (based in Nairobi or Lusaka, Kenya)
- Senior Cost & Pricing Officer, Africa (based in DRC, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, or Zambia)
B Lab Global is hiring for a Capacity Planning & Strategy Manager (based in Philadelphia, PA)
Mercy Corps has multiple open positions around the world, including:
- These Field Positions for Nationals (candidates that are citizens in the country where these postings are listed)
- These Field Positions for Expatriates
- These positions with Mercy Corps US & UK Headquarters
Global consulting firm Resonance is hiring for multiple positions across its Global Operations and Government Services teams. Browse all open positions here.
Social Traders is hiring for a Social Procurement Advisor (based in Melbourne, Australia)
Acumen is hiring for multiple positions, including:
- Senior Backend Engineer (based in Nigeria or Kenya)
- Operations Associate, Business Development (based in London, UK)
- Acumen America Partnership Associate and Acumen America Portfolio Associate (both based in San Francisco, CA)
- Knowledge Sharing Consultant (based in Bogota, Colombia)
- West Africa Director (based in Lagos, Nigeria)
Eskwelabs is hiring for a number of positions across its education, tech, and product teams. Browse all openings here.

Upcoming Events & New Programs

July 1st: Resonance is hosting a free webinar, “Catalyzing Collaboration Between Companies and Social Enterprises” about how companies and innovative social enterprises can come together to accelerate impact for the SDGs. Register here.
July 6th:MovingWorlds is hosting a free career development webinar, “Good Work: How to Use Your Career to Make a Difference in the World” featuring CSR advisor and certified career coach Shannon Houde. Learn more and register here.
July 27th: ANDE is hosting its 2021 West Africa Regional Conference. Get your ticket here.
Ongoing: Maker’s Unite is offering a Remote Makers Workshop centered on the cultural values of sharing a cup of tea and creating something together from upcycled materials. Learn more here.
Ongoing: Good to Be Good is accepting applications for its Change Make-Her Program, a free 6-week virtual program for women and non-binary people who want to expand their entrepreneurship and leadership-building skills. Learn more here.

A Final bit of Inspiration….

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
– Alan Watts

May 2021 Social Impact News Roundup: Accelerating the Social Sector

June 2, 2021 by Alexandra Nemeth

In May, we were inspired by the way that governments, the private sector, and individuals are stepping up to accelerate the social sector, with a focus on social enterprises. Here are a few highlights from May 2021:

What Exactly is a Social Enterprise?

Check out this short series of posts explaining what a social enterprise is (and isn’t), what a Benefit Corporation is, and why both are critical to address the Pioneer Gap.

How COVID is Reshaping CSR & Supply Chains

Amid the raging second wave of COVID in India (find up-to-date metrics in these dashboards), the Indian government has amended the CSR laws to aid COVID relief. Our partners at Sattva Consulting were featured in a Forbes article about how companies are likely to change how they spend CSR money and work with the social sector.

Another sector being reshaped by COVID is last mile distribution (LMD). Our friends at the Global Distributors Collective released a new report examining how the LMD sector is adapting and innovating following COVID-19.

Accelerating Entrepreneurship over the Long-Term

For the past five years, GALI has been collecting data on accelerators around the world and the entrepreneurs who seek their support, with a particular focus on accelerators operating in developing economies. Its latest report synthesizes the key findings from this research, with actionable insights for accelerator program managers, entrepreneurs, funders, investors, and other stakeholders who support and engage accelerators around the world.

Partnerships are another effective way to accelerate entrepreneurship over the long-term, and in this interview James Bernard, Vice President of Resonance Impact Advisory Services, explains what it takes to not just launch, but effectively build a partnership across sectors. A great example of what this looks like in practice is Microsoft’s MySkills4Afrika program, which we featured on the MovingWorlds blog here.

Making Social Sector Resources More Accessible

An exciting new resource to bookmark is the Social Design Directory, an interdisciplinary project developed by MovingWorlds Institute Global Fellows Mike Hepler, Joelle Atallah, and Natalia Rudiak. The directory is collaborative and accessible, allowing anyone to explore human-centered design practitioners with a focus on social impact.

Our partners at Flone Initiative also released a new Gender-Sensitive Mini-Bus Services & Transport Infrastructure for African Cities toolkit, which it is utilizing to integrate gender-sensitive organizational policies and service principles into the culture of transport organizations in Nairobi and Mombasa. Flone Initiative Founder, Naomi Mwaura, shared more about the organization’s work creating a safe and professional public transport industry in Kenya by generating knowledge to influence behaviour change in this TED Talk.

Featured Experteering Projects

Looking for an opportunity to use your skills for good while challenging yourself to grow? Check out this month’s featured projects from our S-GRID network:

Training on using the cloud to host affordable banking services: Catu.ai equips financial institutions with a digital platform to personalize and simplify loan application processes. The team is looking for a trainer to deliver a one-off workshop to start hosting its core banking services in Azure so that smaller lenders can use them to provide financial services to people and small businesses.
Marketing/Sales expert to support entry into US market: Studio Coppre is a social impact brand working towards promoting heritage crafts by retaining traditional crafting techniques and designing contemporary wares. The team is looking for an experteer to help address the requirements of the US market in the retail boutique sector through branding, marketing and sales.
Connections to purchasing departments of major retailers: Re-mat currently makes dog beds from recycled memory foam mattresses. The team is looking for introductions to procurement departments of major brands that sell pet products.

Social Impact Job Opportunities

Eskwelabs has multiple open positions on its education, tech, and product teams. Browse current openings here.
Sattva Consulting has multiple open positions on its Non-profit Advisory, Foundations Advisory, and research teams across various seniority levels. Browse current openings here.
ANDE is hiring for the following positions:
- Latin America Finance Coordinator (based in Mexico City, Mexico)
- Brazil Senior Program Coordinator (based in Sao Paulo, Brazil)
- Andean Program Associate (based in Bogota, Colombia)
- Senior Program Associate (based in Washington, D.C.)
Village Capital is looking for a short-term contractor to help with its marketing and communications – graphic design, social media and copywriting. Learn more here.
Remote Energy is hiring for a Program Manager to assist with the planning, governance and oversight of its educational programs.
Community Solutions is hiring for a Partnership Communications Coordinator to join its team in New York (or remotely)
REI is hiring for a Director, Corporate Development and Racial Equity Accelerator to join its team in Seattle, WA
Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) is hiring for a Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Advisor to join its team remotely.
Mercy Corps is hiring for a Fintech Innovation and Operations Lead to join its team remotely.
US International Development Finance Corporation is hiring for a Managing Director of Impact Management & Monitoring to join its team in Washington, D.C.
Women-led fintech firm CNote is hiring for a Director of Impact Evaluation to join its team remotely.
Citizens University is hiring for a Director of Finance & Operations to join its team in Seattle, WA or remotely.
VolunteerMatch is hiring for a Chief Digital Technology Officer to join its team in Oakland CA or remotely.
Community Credit Lab is hiring for part-time Development Manager to join its team in Seattle, WA or remotely.
Social Venture Partners is hiring for a Director of Development & Philanthropic Partnerships in the Pacific Northwest.

Upcoming Events & New Programs

June 9: The Unity Effect team is hosting a free online workshop about Team Decision-Making. Learn more and register here.
June 9-10: SOCAP is hosting SPECTRUM21, a virtual event bringing together diverse stakeholders to inspire and build a more inclusive impact economy. Get your ticket here.
June 15-17: United National Global Compact is hosting its Leaders Summit to explore the role of business in achieving the SDGs. Members of MovingWorlds can register for free here.
June 16: The Possiblists is hosting a virtual launch event to reveal the results of an extensive global study of the impact, challenges and needs of young changemakers around the world. Register here.
June 22: Sustainable Pathways is offering a practical online course for leaders wanting to understand sustainability, develop psychological safety, and tackle resistance to change in their organisations. Learn more and book your space here.
June 30: Application deadline for the MovingWorlds Institute Global Fellowship cohort launching in July!

Congratulations to….

Community Solutions for being awarded the MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change grant of $100 million to solve a critical problem!
Studio Coppre for winning the prestigious Shilp Udyam Samman for ‘Save the Craft’ category instituted by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA)! established in 2004, is a membership based non-profit organization for the handloom and handicrafts sector in India. It seeks to ensure the growth and continued vibrancy of this sector and a better standard of living for artisans and crafts workers.
OneLamp Uganda for being awarded the EEP grant “Clean Energy Powering Green Growth” from a pool of over 350 global applicants! With the grant financing, OneLamp will launch pay as you go solar milk coolers for Uganda’s 2.5m small dairy farms that lack access to refrigerated storage.
Pawster Nashville: Pawster Nashville for being awarded the Delek Fund for Hope: Most Unique Donors Prize during Nashville’s The Big Payback!

A Final Bit of Inspiration

We’re big fans of Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why, and in the video below he shares what that looks like amidst a global pandemic:

April 2021 Social Impact News Roundup: Driving More Inclusive Recovery

May 10, 2021 by Alexandra Nemeth

Before jumping into our monthly social impact round-up, we want to share our condolences with our friends and colleagues in India. One of our partners, Upaya Social Ventures, has created a fund to directly support its social enterprises which have been working overtime to address the health crisis and spread sanitation kits. You can donate here.

In April, we were inspired by the way that social impact organizations are collaborating to drive a more inclusive recovery and help social innovators cross the pioneer gap.

Businesses, associations, startups, and individuals alike are all taking steps to support recovery, and here are some examples of highlights from April 2021 that show forward progress:

Overcoming barriers in the last mile

The only way to realize the impact of an innovative solution is to get it into the hands of the end-users, which is particularly challenging when it comes to rural, remote or off-grid communities. With support from CDC Plus, our partners at Global Distributor’s Collective released a new report on how the last mile distribution (LMD) sector is adapting and innovating following COVID-19. Our partners at ThinkMD were also recognized for their offline-first app, bringing lifesaving care to rural communities worldwide without reliable internet access.

Developing the infrastructure for sustainable change amidst the crisis

Despite the crisis, India recently made amendments to its CSR Law that project the Government’s shift from a ‘comply or explain’ stance to a ‘comply or pay’ stance, putting more pressure on corporates to be strategically involved with their CSR initiatives. Our partners at Sattva published this report outlining key changes and the direct and indirect implications of the amendments on non-profit organisations in India. Insurtech start-up OKO, which provides inclusive agricultural insurance to secure farmers’ income across Africa, also closed a Seed investment of $1.2 million.

Business as a force for good

We recently published a blog feature about S-GRID participant Metis Consulting Group, a B-Corp and Certified Disability Owned Business Enterprise making work more inclusive for all. Here are 5 examples of CSR programs that are meaningfully investing in improved operations and programs

Your career as a force for good

We also shared the inspiring career change story of Global Fellow Lewis, who used the program to launch a dual social impact career with Seabin Project and Larta Institute. Thinking about your own for-purpose career change? Check out all 10 steps of our complete #SocialImpactCareerGuide!

Featured Experteering Projects

Looking for an opportunity to use your skills for good while challenging yourself to grow? Check out this month’s featured projects from our S-GRID network:

Training social enterprises on sales management & CRM tools: In this one-hour workshop, we want to share best-practices in how to setup and optimize a CRM to support sales efforts. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how the right tools and customization of those tools can support their sales efforts.
Predictive Analytics Specialist to review and advise on data model for PoC:Metis provides technical consulting services, primarily to the HR and travel industries. We are developing a Proof of Concept for a travel planning app with a social mission and we are seeking experts in predictive analytics to consult on our working data model for the proof of the concept. Other requirements: Knowledge of SQL and GraphQL strong pluses.
Communications and Public Relations Lead: Phoenix Space is looking for a communications lead to focus on broad-based messaging and PR initiatives to reach and build long-term relationships with diverse constituent groups. This position will develop and implement a variety of communications and content strategies to increase community visibility and enhance awareness and sustainability to the organization.
Introductory Python Course Instructor: Phoenix Space have launched a unique learning course which combines learning the Python programming language withspace science. We need assistance to guide groups of students where they are introduced to the fundamentals of Python, and apply their knowledge to solving weekly exercises and mini-projects.
Software Development Experteer for Sustainability Impact Assessment: Sustainable Pathways is an organisation that works with businesses and organisations to design and re-align them into a sustainable pathway. The project consists of developing our current tool and implementing pre-determined changes to an impact assessment software.

Social Impact Job Opportunities

Activate Global is hiring for a Project Manager, Partnerships (Berkeley, CA or Boston, MA preferred)
Acumen is hiring for multiple positions, including:
- Senior Associate, Energy Sector Insights (based in NYC or London)
- Associate Director, Investing in Agriculture (based in NYC or London)
- Associate Director of Marketing (based in NYC)
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is hiring for multiple roles:
- Membership and Programs Intern (remote)
- Andean Program Associate (Bogota)
The Beeck Center for Social Impact at Georgetown University is hiring a Student Engagement Manager to lead the Student Analyst program and our student engagement on campus
Change.org is hiring for a variety of roles, including a Product Designer
Global Giving is hiring for multiple positions, including:
- Desktop Support Engineer (Washington, D.C.)
- Donor Growth Marketing Manager (Washington, D.C.)
- Manager of Strategic Initiatives (Washington, D.C. or remote)
- Associate Manager of Grant Programs (Washington, D.C.)
- Vetting Associate (Washington, D.C. or remote)
- Business Partnerships Associate (UK)
- UK Research & Knowledge Manager – USAID (UK)
- Community Experience Designer (Washington, D.C.)
MovingWorlds is currently recruiting for a Community Manager and will be opening two new positions soon related to Product Management and CRM administration – follow our career site for more. (remote)
Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) is hiring for a Senior Communications Specialist (remote)
RefuSHE is hiring a Managing Director (US)
Room to Read is currently recruiting for a Program Manager – Equity in Education (US Initiative) to join its team in San Francisco or remotely
Sattva Consulting is hiring for multiple roles (based in India) as they work to create scalable solutions for sustainable social impact. These include:
Splash International is hiring a Head of Strategic Initiatives for its Ethiopia offices

Upcoming Events & New Programs

Ongoing: Makers Unite is launching its first intake session to join its ongoing Creative Lab program for newcomers with refugee or asylum-seeking status. Over 8 weeks, work with Lab Mentors to develop your career, CV, and portfolio. Learn more and sign up here.
May 1-31st: In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, Belouga and The #SameHere Movement launched a month-long program to bring together over 100 leading mental health organizations, experts and educators from around the world. Learn more here.
May 17-June 16: Acumen Academy is hosting its first “Build Conference” to share knowledge to help spur rebuilding efforts (speakers include our very own Anna Polatschek and Cole Hoover!)
May 20th: Join Submittable in a conversation about CSR and social enterprises with Mark Horoszowski, CEO of MovingWorlds, and special guest Louise Bleach, Development and Impact Lead at Desolenator. Register for this webinar here.
May 27th: Conveners.org is hosting a Masterclass on cultivating, selecting, and training mentors. Free for members, or $20 for non-members. Learn more and sign up here.

Congratulations to….

World For Good for receiving the 2021 USASBE- United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship award!
MovingWorlds S-GRID Program for being named as a 2021 Fast Company World Changing Idea Award Honoree!
BEMPU Health and their life-saving newborn technologies for being named as finalists by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for its Growth Stage Impact Venture Initiative 2021!

A Final Bit of Inspiration….

Unprecedented technological capabilities combined with unlimited human creativity have given us tremendous power to take on intractable problems like poverty, unemployment, disease, and environmental degradation. Our challenge is to translate this extraordinary potential into meaningful change.
Muhammad Yunus