Systemic Impact: The Importance of Implementation. #7 in the Series
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| Title: | Systemic Impact: The Importance of Implementation. #7 in the Series |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Alex Cortez, Christine Wade, Kateland Beals, Bellwether |
| Source: | Bellwether. 2026. |
| Availability: | Bellwether. 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 877-636-0909; Web site: https://bellwether.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | ECMC Foundation |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Nonprofit Organizations, Governance, Systems Approach, Educational Change, Program Implementation, Barriers, Adjustment (to Environment) |
| Abstract: | In January 2025, Bellwether launched an initiative to explore strong practices in Systemic Impact (how an organization shifts mindsets, relationships, and power to in turn shift policies, practices, and resource flows to create conditions for systems-level adoption of an organization's program model). This is the seventh in a series of publications exploring how nonprofit organizations, including those in the education sector, can effectively implement Systemic Impact strategies to achieve their ambitions. This initiative builds on Bellwether's Pragmatic Playbook, published in June 2022, which explores how organizations can employ three strategies--Direct Impact, Widespread Impact, and Systemic Impact--to maximize their overall impact and their ability to effectively compete in the education sector. One of the biggest areas of need organizations frequently cite is access to more guidance and resources on how to build their ability to pursue Systemic Impact, including making the case internally and externally to other stakeholders such as funders. This publication explores the importance of focusing on implementation before, during, and after a Systemic Impact issue campaign 'win'. Implementation is the chasm between a win and a win delivering real value. It can be a big chasm. To achieve the win, organizations may first have to pursue and succeed in a range of Systemic Impact campaigns (such as electoral or appointment) to determine who is in authority. Then, organizations have to pursue issue campaigns to ensure those in authority support that organization's policy agenda. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED681635 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In January 2025, Bellwether launched an initiative to explore strong practices in Systemic Impact (how an organization shifts mindsets, relationships, and power to in turn shift policies, practices, and resource flows to create conditions for systems-level adoption of an organization's program model). This is the seventh in a series of publications exploring how nonprofit organizations, including those in the education sector, can effectively implement Systemic Impact strategies to achieve their ambitions. This initiative builds on Bellwether's Pragmatic Playbook, published in June 2022, which explores how organizations can employ three strategies--Direct Impact, Widespread Impact, and Systemic Impact--to maximize their overall impact and their ability to effectively compete in the education sector. One of the biggest areas of need organizations frequently cite is access to more guidance and resources on how to build their ability to pursue Systemic Impact, including making the case internally and externally to other stakeholders such as funders. This publication explores the importance of focusing on implementation before, during, and after a Systemic Impact issue campaign 'win'. Implementation is the chasm between a win and a win delivering real value. It can be a big chasm. To achieve the win, organizations may first have to pursue and succeed in a range of Systemic Impact campaigns (such as electoral or appointment) to determine who is in authority. Then, organizations have to pursue issue campaigns to ensure those in authority support that organization's policy agenda. |
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