Activity

A Social Change Agency was founded in Olympia, Washington, and is a non-profit, nonprofit organization dedicated to social change. They implement programs that support social justice, economic development, community development, and global change. They strive to build coalitions of individuals and community groups that share an interest in advancing freedom, security, economic well being, environmental protection, and social equity. To be accepted into the organization, an individual or group must demonstrate a commitment to these causes.

To be accepted into a social change agency, one must demonstrate a commitment to excellence, vision, and strategic planning. The United Way and similar nonprofits have been effective at coordinating efforts between individuals and other nonprofit organizations. These organizations utilize thought leadership as well as community organizing to advance their cause. They are also effective at coordinating activities that bring together people with similar interests and goals. In doing so, they create a sense of community and connection.

Through the employment of strategic planners, a social change organization links the dots between its program and the needs of the neighborhoods in which it engages. This program evaluation process allows the organization to make strategic decisions about its funding. The outcomes of this work are then used to assess the success or failure of the program. An example of strategic planning might be how the program will be administered, what success means for the organization, what impact it has on the community, etc.

Strategic planning requires an evaluation of the organization’s work environment. This environment may be one that is characterized by fear, stress, anger, sadness, or a combination of these emotions. This analysis enables nonprofit organizations to plan for changes in the work environment that eliminate or reduce the negative emotional factors that can affect its members. It also enables the organization to better plan for its budget. Finally, the process also provides a benchmark against which improvements can be measured.

A social change agency also works to support its locally based teams. Such teams have been traditionally made up of local members who reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods in which they service. A social change agency can build a network of such local teams and provide training and support. For example, one of the purposes of the social change portfolio is “to empower the local community with a commitment to social change.”

Another function of the social change portfolio is to build capacity among change agencies’ members. This function is most often fulfilled through training. In some cases, such training can be conducted by the change agency itself. In other cases, the training may be facilitated by external trainers or by external agencies. Whatever the case, the process helps train members to think and act in more effective ways.

One other important function of the social change agency is to build expertise and reputation. In other words, the social change portfolio serves as a research arm, helping researchers gain knowledge about their specific areas of activity. The agency also seeks to build and maintain partnerships. Examples of these partnerships include ones with universities, other change agencies, stakeholder groups and organizations within the public sector. The goal is to build coalitions that are able to coordinate efforts, receive funding and/or other resources from multiple sources, and build consensus around specific programs and activities. This ability to pool resources allows a social change agency to coordinate and manage programs more effectively.

Finally, the social change portfolio emphasizes a social program for a particular organization, project or arena. For example, a social program might focus on AIDS education in rural areas. The portfolio could also include a program focused on working with women in economically vulnerable communities. The portfolio might also include a program to develop home gardens. Any organization, whether it is governmental, private or non-profit, can benefit from the input of such an agency.