Funders use structured self-reflection to focus place-based systems change investments¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The recommended activity is for funders to work through the reflection tool with their foundations to sharpen investment choices. The article states: "By using this tool, funders—and by extension the foundations within which they work—can further clarify how to focus their place-based systems change investments, leading to more coordinated, locally owned, and sustained impact." The strategy treats funder reflection as the actionable step that precedes and shapes grantmaking decisions in place-based initiatives.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Access to and use of the reflection tool by funders and their foundations

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• Funders and their foundations

Target Learning Goals¶

• Clarifying and focusing place-based systems change investment strategies

Related Strategies¶

• Co-design investment approaches matched to a community's developmental phase
• Funder recommendations: evidence on importance plus tips for starting and sustaining initiatives
• Offer implications for funders and program implementers engaged in systems change

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Meg Long, Wanda Casillas, James Liou. (2021). Investments in Implicit and Explicit Dimensions of Place-Based Systems Change: A Tool for Funder Reflection and Action. Mathematica and Equal Measure. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/investments-in-implicit-and-explicit-dimensions-of-place-based-systems-change-a-tool-for-funder