It’s election season, and the stakes feel higher than ever. For those of us in the social impact space, these moments could define our work. As our nation debates priorities and policies, staying informed and advocating for progress in addressing social and health issues is more critical than ever. The decisions made over the next few months will ripple through our communities for years to come, and it’s on us

PAServes is a pioneering initiative that has been a beacon of hope for military-connected individuals for the past eight years. Supported by local philanthropy and the Veteran’s Administration, PAServes has a robust network of 69 provider organizations, including VA medical centers, veteran-serving organizations, and community-based groups. This network addresses many critical needs, such as food insecurity, employment assistance, medical care, and social isolation. Over five years, PAServes has served over

A 2023 report reveals that 50% of veterans grapple with unaddressed social and health needs like housing instability, financial difficulties, and limited access to healthcare, yet only 14% seek help through the VA. Despite efforts by various organizations, a significant gap remains in meeting these needs effectively.Since 2022, the Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact (NNSI) has been developing a metric to measure the effectiveness of veteran referral networks. This initiative

This year in the United States, 40% of Americans will experience material hardship.  However, less than half will receive help from any source. There are a variety of reasons behind this heartbreaking statistic. Like many people we’ve interviewed, some Americans say they were “taught to be independent” and “can tough it out.” Others feel ashamed of asking for help, especially from government programs with a stigma attached to them. Still,

In the pursuit of creating a healthier and more equitable society, community-driven health initiatives emerge as powerful catalysts for change. These initiatives, often led by grassroots organizations deeply embedded within their communities, represent a powerful force for driving change and addressing healthcare disparities. By empowering local communities to take charge of their health, these initiatives create sustainable and impactful solutions rooted in each community’s unique needs and strengths. Researching the

Nowadays, many healthcare and social care organizations are discovering that it is difficult to build robust referral networks. Despite indicating a need for an infrastructure to facilitate cross-sector referrals and service coordination, research suggests that local providers did not achieve higher efficiency from implementing this type of software. This is because they are relying primarily on the technology’s adoption, not what we know about effective multi-sector network design.Our blog series