HKS Authors

See citation below for complete author information.

Director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government
Robert W. Scrivner Professor of Social Policy

Abstract

Current approaches to government funding of social services create significant barriers to innovation. Funding streams tend to emphasize inputs rather than program objectives and are often overly prescriptive, requiring grantees to use a particular delivery model. In many cases, program outcomes are not rigorously assessed, allowing unsuccessful initiatives to persist for years. Meanwhile, the public sector is slow to adopt new program models, even those proven to be highly effective. There is no systematic process through which philanthropically funded interventions with demonstrated success receive the government funding necessary to expand. Investments in preventive services can be particularly difficult to finance because the funding streams that support such services are often in different accounts from the programs in which the cost savings accrue.

Citation

Liebman, Jeffrey. "Social Impact Bonds." Report for Center for American Progress, February 9, 2011.