Social Impact Across the U.S.

The social impact world is taking stock as it enters 2015. Here are some trend stories looking at what’s coming and what has passed. This is the first post of Social Impact Across the U.S., a weekly roundup of links from major news sites and blogs that looks at the intersecting world of nonprofits, social enterprises, philanthropies, communities organizations and government.

• The Stanford Social Innovation Journal identifies four major trends that are reshaping nonprofit fundraising. The trends ranged from the technological, such as better leveraging big data, to changes in how nonprofits are organized, such as temporary organizations, which disband after they meet a set goal, replacing permanent nonprofits.

• As fast food workers protest for higher wages across the country, there has been little movement from state and federal governments to raise the minimum wage. Cities on the other hand are taking a stand for their workers. Next City looks at a number of cities that could raise the minimum wage in 2015.

• Investors have gradually increased their commitment to environmental sustainability and other social impact goals over the last few decades. In the past two years, however, growth has been significant. A new report from The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Development shows that in the last two years there has been a 76 percent increase in sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investing.

• Finding clothes for a transgender person can be very difficult. Trans Clothes Swap is trying to help with this problem by allowing trans people all over North America swap their clothes online. GOOD Magazine reports that the Tumbler-based online exchange is set to expand. 

• Nonprofit Quarterly, which tracks the nonprofit sector through daily news coverage, opinion and analysis, released a list of the biggest stories of 2014 and what they mean for the future. Government/nonprofit relationships, mass protest movements and the changing face of business all received their due.

What do you think about what’s happening in social impact across the U.S.? How might Philly learn from other cities and states? Please leave a comment to help us bring the national and local conversations together.

Photo via Flickr user Nick Aldwin