Millions of Americans struggle to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare services each year. However, only a small fraction of those in need receive help from government and non-profit agencies. Why is this the case?  Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) have found that the pathway from fulfilling needs to receiving assistance is not straightforward. Numerous barriers prevent individuals from accessing formal support channels—structured

Approximately 200,000 Americans leave active duty every year and begin the uneasy transition into civilian life. This shift into a familiar yet vastly different world naturally comes with several challenges, but the bigger problem is that these challenges rarely occur one at a time.  Veterans frequently face overlapping difficulties in work, health, housing, and relationships—what experts call co-occurring needs. For example, an ongoing health condition can make it harder to

We often think of infrastructure as physical structures that keep a society running, like highways, railways, and water pipes. However, some of the most vital systems in our lives are less noticeable. The system that connects people in need with the support they qualify for, we call this social infrastructure: Social infrastructure = systems that organize and manage complex health and human service referral systems, eligibility criteria, and financial compensation

In June 2025, NNSI invited leading practitioners from across the country to Chicago for a working convening on integrated referral networks. The two-day session focused on how we can build smarter, more sustainable cross-sector referral networks for human and health services.  The insights and key questions below reflect conversations from that day. Attendees Autumn Campbell Director Partnership to Align Social Care Heather Black Vice President, 211 System Strategy United Way

  Each year, nearly half of Americans across the nation experience material hardship—food insecurity, housing instability, or a lack of access to healthcare. Yet only a fraction of those in need ever receive help from social service agencies. What accounts for this gap? Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) set out to investigate by listening directly to individuals’ experiences with seeking help in America. By centering on the

By Matilda Le Collaboration is at the heart of solving today’s most pressing social challenges – but effective collaboration doesn’t happen by accident. Here at NNSI, we are working in collaboration with researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago to better understand how social impact networks design their activities and drive lasting impact. Social impact networks are defined as groups of organizations that come together around a shared purpose,