This course is for those interested in leading or advising organizations with a primary social and/or environmental impact goal. We will study approaches and frameworks that leaders use to address several core challenges: What does it take to identify and align external stakeholders and supporters around an intended impact? How can leaders anticipate and manage the challenges of commercial, philanthropic, and public funding models? Can impact really be measured, and if so, how? What internal levers can be used to improve efficiency and effectiveness? How can individual organization make real progress on a complex, wicked problem requiring multilateral action?
This course will be participation-based and will include case discussions, in-class exercises, and guest speakers. We will draw on examples and lessons from non-profit organizations, social enterprises, for-profit impact-first companies such as benefit corporations, and public sector organizations. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to consider the strengths and weaknesses of these different strategies and ways of organizing to pursue social impact at scale.
