Focusing on Causes, Not Just Symptoms
For foundations, families, and organizations looking to fund lasting solutions—targeting root causes— to some of society’s thorniest challenges, a systems change approach can yield transformative impact.
Viewing issues through a systems change lens begins with understanding the many factors and actors that influence whether and how lasting progress can be achieved. Ultimately, this kind of analysis enables more purposeful giving and action, gradually nudging a system toward a new and better equilibrium. However, this evolutionary process requires intentionality, patience, and a commitment to the messy reality that systems change is rarely a linear journey. Like pulling up a weed by the roots rather than simply plucking the stem, both the effort and the reward are greater.
We can help you navigate that journey through analytical, programmatic, and grantmaking support by:
- Conducting landscape analyses to understand a sector, an existing program, and/or a discrete issue, identifying where and how your philanthropy can fill gaps, add value, unlock partnerships, and drive lasting changes for an entire system
- Assessing the potential for donors to serve as “systems change orchestrators” while also assessing where partners and allies may be better positioned for that role
- Designing systems change-sensitive programs and initiatives for donors and their partners to tackle root cause issues with sustainable and, as relevant, scalable initiatives
- Developing customized monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to track progress and impact as systems evolve and change
- Constructing an efficient grantmaking and programmatic infrastructure to accelerate funding for systems change efforts, including pooled funds and donor collaboratives
- Building the skills and knowledge of both donors and “do-ers” through training and education around state-of-the-art approaches to systems change.
