Old Area: Building the future of work

Built to Thrive: Learnings from Wells Fargo

Built to Thrive: Learnings from Wells Fargo

This report offers a look into the Open for Business Fund Asset Ownership Program’s localized models, aggregate impact, and key program takeaways.

The total impact of the $100 million Open for Business Fund Asset Ownership Program demonstrates that the program did more than keep storefront lights on—it moved small businesses from chasing stability to a clear pathway for job creation, scale, and building wealth, while driving a ripple effect of impact across community partners, local small business ecosystems, and communities at large.

It did this through a targeted yet flexible overarching strategy that was laser-focused on helping business owners acquire tangible business assets like property, and equipment. In each of the five markets, local community partners designed tailored capital interventions to fit the needs of small businesses in their community, ranging from grants to acquire equipment, forgivable down payment assistance, 0% interest loans, grants for commercial property improvements, and more.

Insights across five markets describe business owners who have added production lines, hired staff, and negotiated larger contracts after securing critical assets: property, equipment, and technology. At the same time, community partners report stronger balance sheets of their own and a web of newly forged relationships that continue to pay dividends beyond any single grant.

In short, the combination of market-specific, targeted strategies, and flexible capital, plus hands-on support and ecosystem development has proven to be a scalable engine of broadly shared growth.

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The Placed-based Action Map

The Placed-based Action Map

Where is effective place-based impact actually happening, and who is involved? Until now, it’s been difficult to answer that with any clarity.

The Place-Based Impact Map allows users to explore initiatives across the U.S., making it easy to explore what’s happening in your region and others, and who to reach out to for insights. And the map offers place-base leaders an opportunity to promote their work to curious funders and regional supporters. A companion to the Place-based Impact Measurement Toolkit.

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The Principled Approach: Place-based Measurement Toolkit

The Principled Approach: Place-based Measurement Toolkit

Measuring impact can be hard to do accurately and effectively. Place Based Impact Measurement in particular, because every region and neighborhood is different. That can lead to overlapping KPIs and confusion over how to chart progress, and scale good ideas.

So, NationSwell’s Place Based Collaborative have created a new resource to address this gap:‘The Principled Approach’ — A toolkit to guide thoughtful, community-led, effective
measurement of place-based impact.

Whether you are embarking on place based work, or deep into it, this toolkit illuminates the key principles that put communities at the heart of not just the programs being funded, but the way the success of those efforts is quantified. A perfect companion to NationSwell’s Place-based Action Map.

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Cisco | Skills-to-jobs at scale

Cisco | Skills-to-jobs at scale

How Cisco Networking Academy is transforming the lives of learners

The idea for Cisco Networking Academy was born in 1997. Cisco employees returned to an under-resourced school where they had donated state-of-the-art networking equipment. They were excited to see how students and educators were being empowered by the technology. Instead, they found the equipment sitting unused. The lesson learned that day was that technology alone is not enough; without the knowledge and skills to use it, even the best equipment’s potential will go untapped. 

Cisco recognized that for networking technology to truly expand and thrive, there needed to be a workforce capable of installing, configuring, and maintaining those networks. There was a critical skills gap: educators and students lacked the training to leverage the new technology, and there was no established pathway to build that expertise at scale.

Beyond just technical skills, Cisco also saw an opportunity to transform lives by providing inclusive access to technology education. Cisco sought to use its own technology and vast networking expertise to create clear pathways for both new learners and those reskilling or upskilling, ensuring they become prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Thus, Networking Academy was launched.

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Chobani | Impact through product innovation

Chobani | Impact through product innovation

How Chobani’s Super Milk is redefining disaster relief and food security

Chobani’s idea for Super Milk came out of two urgent challenges: the growing number of climate-related disasters and a steep rise in food insecurity across the U.S. Today, billion-dollar disasters are hitting every couple of weeks, displacing families and driving up demand for shelf-stable, nutrient-dense food. At the same time, in 2023 food insecurity affected approximately 20% of households, putting even more strain on food banks. While milk is one of the most requested items, it’s also one of the hardest to get out quickly—it needs refrigeration and doesn’t last long, often arriving just before it expires.

To overcome these challenges, Chobani marshaled its in-house expertise in dairy innovation, supply chain management, and community impact to create a shelf-stable, nutrient-dense milk specifically designed for disaster relief and hunger alleviation. Produced at Chobani’s Idaho plant, Chobani Super Milk is made with a blend of real milk and ultrafiltered milk to achieve an excellent source of high-quality protein, with less sugar than traditional milk. An enzyme naturally converts sugars into galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a high-quality prebiotic fiber, that contributes to gut health and digestion. Chobani Super Milk is aseptically processed, which allows for a 9-month shelf life without refrigeration and without any added preservatives, resulting in a product that is accessible, nutritious, and highly transportable to the communities who need it most.

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Responsible Use of AI for Social Impact

Responsible Use of AI for Social Impact

AI is rapidly reshaping how the social impact sector delivers on its mission. Yet as adoption accelerates, many organizations lack the governance needed to manage risk and fully realize AI’s potential.

Developed by NationSwell in collaboration with IBM, Responsible Use of AI for Social Impact is a practical playbook designed to help organizations of all sizes adopt AI ethically, safely, and effectively. Drawing on insights from leaders across the field, the guide offers real-world frameworks, case studies, and actionable steps to move from experimentation to responsible application.

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LinkedIn | Bridging skills & network gaps

LinkedIn | Bridging skills & network gaps

How LinkedIn is using its data and platform to help professionals overcome barriers to employment

The world of work is rapidly evolving. According to LinkedIn’s data, 70% of the skills needed for most jobs will have changed by the year 2030, creating an urgent and widening skills gap in today’s workforce. As swift technological advancements continue to reshape entire industries, this transformed landscape will be felt most acutely by those from underserved communities or backgrounds who already face barriers to professional development or upskilling opportunities.

In furtherance of the company’s mission to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce, LinkedIn’s social impact team works with professionals overcoming barriers to provide them with yearlong gratis memberships to  LinkedIn Premium, which includes access to LinkedIn Learning’s catalog of nearly 25,000 courses. By focusing on getting LinkedIn Learning into the hands of the communities who most lack access to upskilling opportunities, LinkedIn hopes to close the skills gap and provide professionals with the tools and training they need to level the playing field.

 

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Childcare for All Solutions Wheel

Childcare for All Solutions Wheel

The Case for Childcare Collaborative designed this interactive resource hub to help employers explore childcare solutions that support working families and strengthen their workforce. Through research, real-world examples, and practical tools, the site helps organizations understand the business impact of childcare and identify benefits and policies that work for employees across industries and income levels.

Whether employers are just getting started or expanding existing supports, the platform offers actionable guidance to help build more inclusive, resilient workplaces where workers — and businesses — can thrive.

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AI for Nonprofit Empowerment

AI for Nonprofit Empowerment

Nonprofits face unique challenges when it comes to incorporating AI in their work.

NationSwell’s latest report, AI for Nonprofit Empowerment, funded by Annie E. Casey Foundation, provides knowledge on how nonprofit organizations can use AI to streamline processes and improve day-to-day functions, while maintaining focus on the work that truly matters.

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Identifying your Organization’s Impact Superpowers

Identifying your Organization’s Impact Superpowers

Every organization possesses unique strengths that hold potential to drive transformative impact. When applied effectively, these act as superpowers. 

Whether you are leveraging innovative technologies, tapping unique expertise, mobilizing extensive networks, or amplifying a trusted brand, understanding your organization’s superpowers allows you to target efforts where they can make the greatest difference.

This toolkit provides practical frameworks, self-assessment tools, and illustrative examples to guide leaders through an exploration of organizational strengths, resources, and opportunities. Use this resource to identify and elevate the capabilities within your organization that have the most potential to effect positive change.

Exercises covered in this toolkit include: 

  • Exercise 1: Impact SWOT
  • Exercise 2: Asset and Resource Map
  • Exercise 3: 360 Review
  • Exercise 4: Impact Wings
  • Exercise 5: Social Impact Initiative Post-Mortem
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