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The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
Volume XV, Number 1, Spring 2010
Issue Topic: Scaling Impact
Because scaling impact is a hot topic in the nonprofit world, a number of informal conversations are occurring online about this topic (including the implications for evaluation), especially on blogs. Below are links to some of these recent conversations, which represent a wide range of views and opinions.
Are social entrepreneurs too obsessed with scale?
Change.org > Social Entrepreneurship blog
Makes the case that instead of repeating one organizational approach, nonprofits should reflect local eccentricities through separate organizations, but pool purchasing power.
Building on success – replication vs propagation
Alliance magazine
Argues that “propagation” is a better way for nonprofits to think about building on their successes rather than “replication.”
The business model of change is important!
Philosopher 2.0 blog
Posits that the motivation to scale up should be secondary to an effort to diffuse understanding of successful approaches to other organizations.
The blueprint: Measurement as a tool for scaling what works
Mission Measurement blog
Establishes the critical role that comprehensive measurement has in identifying what and how to scale.
Change and the problem of scale
ArtsJournal.org > A Debate on Arts Education blog
Argues that substantial differences in local culture preclude scaling up schooling models.
Disruptive innovation: Social entrepreneurs’ lessons
Ecopreneurist blog
Presents three organizations that scaled through developing a unique product and delivering it strategically.
How to make room for the bigger picture
The Guardian
Addresses system-wide issues with scale in the public sector and elaborates on possible solutions such as reimagining organizational management models.
Lessons in scaling up social impact and enterprise
Compassion in Politics blog
Provides summaries of two articles that address strategies for scaling up micro lending and social entrepreneurial ventures.
The long tail of social entrepreneurship
School for Social Entrepreneurs blog
Discusses possible models for scaling up social entrepreneurial ventures, specifically through the use of the internet and other new technologies.
Net impact: Scaling nonprofits
Acumen Fund blog
Details information about scaling nonprofits presented at a recent conference.
Riverford—A successful growth model for social business
ClearlySo.com > Social Business blog
Offers a case study of Riverford, a privately-owned social business that has remained loyal to its founding social mission while expanding rapidly.
Social ventures as learning laboratories
The Guru blog
Discusses ways that social entrepreneurship can create innovative, scalable reforms by sharing knowledge.
"Scale" vs. "diffusion"
Change.org > Social Entrepreneurship blog
Discusses why “diffusion” might be a better framework for thinking about increasing the impact of social sector innovation rather than “scale.”
Scale vs. diffusion redux
Change.org > Social Entrepreneurship blog
Further exploration of the idea of using “diffusion” instead of scale to think about increasing the impact of social sector innovation.
Scaling social impact
Skoll Foundation blog
Provides reflection on remarks at a conference about scaling the social benefit of organizations.
Steal this idea!
Tactical Philanthropy blog
Details the usefulness of sharing best practices in bringing nonprofit organizations to scale and discusses the differences between scaling non- and for-profit companies.
A Theory of Scalability
The Emergent Fool blog
Provides three models for thinking about scaling social enterprises.
A vote of no confidence in social businesses?
Guardian.co.uk > JoePublic blog
Discusses the challenges community interest companies encounter in scaling up, especially in moving out of a niche market and in competing with larger, private public service providers.