Co-Impact’s Post

“Lasting change, which endures beyond the work of one or two organizations is only achieved when we work collaboratively with systems.” ▶️ We’re excited to kick off our next #SpotlightSeries, highlighting our exceptional partners in India and Indonesia. These partners are working across key areas in education, health and the environment, empowering women and girls to achieve their fullest potential, from combating gender-based violence to ensuring access to healthcare and land. First up, Shagun Sabarwal, our Director of Programs, shares insights into how they're driving innovation and amplifying community voices, ensuring they shape the decisions that affect them. 🙋🏽🙋🏻♀️ Catch all the inspiring videos from the series here: https://lnkd.in/dwYh2ahv #InvestinWomen #CommunityChampions

Embracing the practice of care in #grantmaking: We're so pleased to see this article by Letícia Born, Co-Impact's Program Manager, Global and Latin America, on how achieving real transformation amidst social, gender, and racial injustices requires more than good intentions—it needs a commitment to caring for partnerships. Here at Co-Impact, we're dedicated to fostering dialogue and learning within the sector. We recognize the systemic barriers perpetuated by traditional philanthropic norms, often favoring established networks over locally-rooted initiatives. 💡 Our journey with funding and program partners has taught us valuable lessons, emphasizing the importance of strategic coherence, transparent expectations, and genuine collaboration. 🇧🇷 Practice your Portuguese by reading the GIFE article in full below & join us in reimagining a more collaborative and equal #philanthropy!

Often, organizations spend a lot of their time responding to donors. This can crowd out what they need most: time and resources. Co-Impact’s Design Phase encourages partners to dedicate the time and resources into critical strategic thinking and planning work. This leads to the development of a multi-year strategy that speaks to their own vision, and not to the push-and-pull of different funders’ priorities. 💡 In a new blog, Lakshmi Sundaram, one of our Gender Fund Advisors, talks about her experience during our latest design workshop in Mexico. We particularly love her three main takeaways below: 1. Global solidarity is invaluable, especially when there are no easy answers. 2. Moving from scaling up to working at scale requires new ways of thinking. 3. Reimagining systems change from a feminist perspective can be thrilling – but also emotional. Do you agree? Read the blog in full below and let us know in the comments ⬇️

This week for our #SpotlightSeries, we introduce you to Gemawan Institute in Indonesia! Empowering rural communities, preserving environments, and championing social justice -- these are some the core values driving their work in the country. Hear from Laili Khairnur and Ridho Faizinda as they talk about Gemawan's mission. Learn more about this program partner at https://gemawan.org/. What positive changes do you think can happen when women, particularly indigenous women, have ownership of land, access to resources, and participate in decision-making processes? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #borneokita #CommunityChampions

In a world facing so many challenges, women-led philanthropy holds immense potential to drive positive change towards a more equal future. We love this op-ed by Neera Nundy from Dasra on the role of women as catalysts of change and key actors in reshaping India's philanthropic narrative. 💪🏽 As platforms for women in the sector continue to grow, we are so inspired by figures like Rohini Nilekani Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (a member of our Foundational Fund Advisory Board and funding partner), Rati Forbes, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, and Anu Aga. These women are paving the way for others to give thoughtfully and boldly. Read the full article published in YourStory Media below.

This is how our program partners, Project ECHO, are supporting the work of doctors in Sudan and showcasing the power of global collaboration in healthcare. 👇🏿 This article by Maeve Cullinan in The Telegraph delves into how they connect medical experts worldwide to provide quick, real-time advice on how to treat patients, via a phone messaging app. By combining learning techniques with technology, Project ECHO bridges the gap between frontline healthcare providers and specialists. This way, locally-based health workers gain the expertise they need to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions – with cure rates equaling those of experts. Explore more about their work here: https://lnkd.in/dfdF6BK7 #GlobalHealthSecurity #HealthInnovation

Exciting to see our Gender Fund Advisory Board member Mabel van Oranje named in Causeartist's list of 30 nonprofit leaders who will impact the world in 2024! 🙌🏽 Learn who are the inspiring women in our Gender Fund Advisory Board here: https://lnkd.in/dsRn4hb2

How can teaching young people life skills be a catalyst for their transformation? Magic Bus India Foundation is working with the government to equip schools and teachers in India to deliver life skills education as part of the curriculum, so that every young person can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. Having reached over 390,000 young people in 1,961 communities so far, Magic Bus is breaking the cycle of poverty by using a combination of sports activities, mentoring, and community engagement to address various challenges faced by marginalized youth. Watch Magic Bus’ Chief of Programmes Dhanashri Brahme share more insights in the video below. ℹ️ https://www.magicbus.org/ #MagicBusIndiaFoundation #MagicBus #WorkersDay

We're so excited to share our program partners Ilifa Labantwana's case study on #SystemsChange! Over the past 16 years, Ilifa Labantwana have significantly expanded access to quality early childhood development services for 2.5 million disadvantaged children through evidence-based research, advocacy, and partnerships. Recently, they commissioned an external study of their work and history, which produced their story of change along with a revised, go-forward strategy. Happy to see how their approach to supporting early childhood development involves a nuanced understanding of scaling. Their work recognizes the need for context-specific and adaptable strategies, partnering with stakeholders, and focusing on systems change rather than simply replicating successful models. Take a moment to review the study here: https://lnkd.in/dYdi6UBz

Research shows having more women in decision-making roles can be a game changer in almost any issue area. From climate action to healthcare, women help drive transformation. Yet, women, especially women of color, are underrepresented in leadership positions. At Co-Impact, we hope that commitments like the Gender Fund can change that narrative. We support initiatives fostering women's leadership in health, education, and economic sectors. By prioritizing locally-rooted organizations, we support program partners who empower communities from within. For funders, investing in women's leadership is key to driving systems change. Learn why gender matters for funders in any issue area in The Bridgespan Group's newest report by Nidhi Sahni, Elizabeth Binder, Deborah Bielak, Maddie Holland and Riti Mohapatra: https://lnkd.in/eyMWnS87