Resource Type: Tools

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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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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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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Place-based Impact Funders Guide

Place-based Impact Funders Guide

Place-Based Impact in Practice is an interactive guide designed to help funders and changemakers better understand, assess, and implement place-based strategies that create long-term community impact. Through practical frameworks, real-world case studies, interactive assessments, and a national action map, the platform explores how community-centered investment can help address challenges ranging from economic mobility to housing, workforce development, and climate resilience.

Built for philanthropy leaders, nonprofits, and cross-sector partners, the resource helps organizations move from theory to action by highlighting what effective place-based work looks like in practice and what it takes to build lasting, locally driven change

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The Green Seat Guide, Chapter 3

The Green Seat Guide, Chapter 3

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The Green Seat Guide, Chapter 2

The Green Seat Guide, Chapter 2

As corporate sustainability challenges grow more complex, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) are being hired at record rates. They come from diverse professional backgrounds, underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of the role, and often find themselves navigating uncharted waters, tasked with steering an entire enterprise toward ambitious goals. This mandate demands more than just technical knowledge, it demands leadership, vision, and the ability to inspire change at all levels.

While technical guidance on sustainability is widely available through consultants, vendors, and the scientific community, there remains a significant gap in the transfer of practical wisdom. The Green Seat Guide bridges that gap with insights, strategies, and lessons learned from experienced sustainability executives. The aim of the guide is to accelerate the impact of sustainability leaders, new and experienced, by offering practical guidance and learned wisdom from those who have pioneered the role.

Each chapter focuses on an essential component of the sustainability journey and includes a selection of ready-to-use tools to support the adoption of key ideas and tactics.

Chapter 2 – Organizing your team

With a strategy in hand, creating and deploying a well-rounded sustainability team is the sustainability executive’s next most important task. Whether you’ve inherited a staff or need to build a team from scratch, you should be mindful of balancing your technical needs with your strategic needs. Your team will need to be rigorous, detail-oriented, and versatile, and you will need to build key cross-functional relationships beyond your direct reports. 

Chapter 2 of The Green Seat Guide provides guidance on building a successful sustainability team, drawing on the rich insights of those who have done so before.

It is comprised of four sections: 

  1. Working with consultants
  2. Designing your core team
  3. Sourcing and screening the right talent
  4. Leveraging existing internal capabilities

For insights on developing a sustainability strategy, don’t miss Chapter 1.

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