Synopses & Reviews
Since the first edition of Forces for Good was published in 2007 the world has changed significantly. The U.S. and global economies have essentially ground to a halt. Government cutbacks, reduced public support, and less money from corporations have challenged nonprofits like never before.
In the original book, authors Crutchfield and McLeod Grant employed a rigorous research methodology to determine "what makes great nonprofits great?" They studied twelve nonprofits that have achieved extraordinary levels of impactfrom Habitat for Humanity to the Heritage Foundationand distilled six counterintuitive practices that these organizations use to change the world. This revised and updated edition of that bestselling book explores how the recent economic and social upheavals have impacted these noteworthy organizations. In addition, Forces for Good shows how the six practices have been applied successfully to small, local nonprofits.
Despite the enormous changes in the economic landscape, the authors' recent research reaffirms the viability of the original six practices for scaling social impact. This updated book examines a proven framework that helps nonprofits shift from an organizational mind-set to a relational mind-set, from a more industrial era model of production, where the nonprofit produces goods and services for customers, to a networked model, where the nonprofit's mission is to catalyze social change by inspiring others to action.
If you are a nonprofit professional, an agent for social change, a dedicated volunteer, or a concerned donor, this book will serve as a manual for becoming a force for good.
Synopsis
The revised and updated edition features 20-30% new content including:
1. An updated Introduction which explains the new context in which nonprofits are operating and consequences for nonprofits.
2. A new chapter on applying the Six Practices to small, local nonprofits, including some examples of these organizations..
3. "Where are they now?" update on the 12 organizations featured in the first edition. How they have fared, what they've learned and where they are now in their growth trajectory.
4. Inclusion of a diagnostic tool to help nonprofits diagnose how well they are applying the Six Practices, and highlight opportunities for improvement.
Synopsis
An updated edition of a groundbreaking book on best practices for nonprofitsWhat makes great nonprofits great? In the original book, authors Crutchfield and McLeod Grant employed a rigorous research methodology derived from for-profit books like Built to Last. They studied 12 nonprofits that have achieved extraordinary levels of impact—from Habitat for Humanity to the Heritage Foundation—and distilled six counterintuitive practices that these organizations use to change the world.
- Features a new introduction that explores the new context in which nonprofits operate and the consequences for these organizations
- Includes a new chapter on applying the Six Practices to small, local nonprofits, including some examples of these organizations
- Contains an update on the 12 organizations featured in the original book—how they have fared, what they've learned, and where they are now in their growth trajectory
This book has lessons for all readers interested in creating significant social change, including nonprofit managers, donors, and volunteers.
Synopsis
Praise for Forces for Good
"Top 10 Business Book of the Year ... a serious piece of research."The Economist
"Offers excellent real-world examples of what great nonprofits actually look like."Financial Times.com
"A Best Book of the Year."The Globe and Mail, Toronto
"Inspired and inspiring, this book can change the way the world works by changing how leaders think. Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant have made a significant contribution with a Very Big Idea: the shift in focus from building an organization to building a movement."Jim Collins, author, Good to Great; coauthor, Built to Last
"Global problems like abject poverty require innovative, scalable solutions. We have so much to learn from these six practices because they're what lead to wide-scale social change."Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer, Facebook
"The nonprofits making the greatest impacts these days are entrepreneurial, adaptive, outward-looking, and sometimes a little messy. Working together, they are trying not only to solve problems, but also to reform whole systems. For the many leaders of all ages out to change the world, this book provides an invaluable road map. Bravo!"David Gergen, professor of public service and director, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School; senior political analyst, CNN
Winner
Skystone Ryan Research Prize by the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Winner
Gold Prize by Axiom Business Book Awards for Nonprofits
Revised and Updated
"Top 10 Business book of the year." The Economist
About the Author
Leslie R. Crutchfield is an author, speaker, philanthropic and nonprofit adviser, and leading authority on scaling social innovation and high-impact philanthropy. She is a senior adviser with FSG Social Impact Consultants and coauthor of Do More Than Give from Jossey-Bass.
Heather McLeod Grant is a consultant, author, speaker, and adviser to high-impact nonprofits and foundations. As a senior consultant at Monitor Institute, her work focuses on scaling social innovations and impact, leveraging networks for social change, and transforming large-scale legacy nonprofits. She also lectures at Stanford University and serves on several nonprofit advisory boards.
Crutchfield and Grant are the coauthors of the first edition of Forces for Good from Jossey-Bass. Visit their web site www.forcesforgood.net
Table of Contents
Foreword to the Revised and Updated Edition
J. Gregory Dees ixPART ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Introduction to the Revised and Updated Edition 3
Introduction to the First Edition 13
PART TWO: ACHIEVING IMPACT 25
1 Forces for Good 27
2 Advocate and Serve 47
3 Make Markets Work 73
4 Inspire Evangelists 101
5 Nurture Nonprofi t Networks 125
6 Master the Art of Adaptation 149
7 Share Leadership 175
8 Sustaining Impact 203
9 Putting It into Practice 233
PART THREE: NEW LESSONS FOR NEW TIMES 251
10 Thriving in Tumultuous Times 253
11 Deepening the Six Practices 269
12 Forces for Local Good 289
13 Forces for Good Diagnostic Tool 321
PART FOUR: APPENDIXES AND RESOURCES 325
Appendix A: Research Methodology for the First Edition 327
Appendix B: Field Experts 341
Appendix C: Case Study Research Guidelines and Questions 345
Appendix D: Original Research Interview List 349
Appendix E: Updated Organization Profi les 355
Appendix F: Research Methodology and Sources for New Material 389
Appendix G: Preface to the First Edition 395
Endnotes 397
Additional Resources 411
Acknowledgments 419
The Authors 425
Index 427