Equipping Your Alliance for Collective Impact

Why Collective Impact

The challenges facing the global Church today are too complex and deeply rooted for any single church, denomination, key leader or organization to overcome alone. Collaboration is not just desirable, but essential; we are meant to work together, not compete. However, without a clear model and framework, collaborative efforts can easily devolve into activity for activity’s sake, rather than producing meaningful spiritual impact. The Collective Impact model offers a unique but proven framework that can empower sustained gospel movement and lasting Kingdom transformation. By uniting diverse stakeholders in shared purpose and strategic action, and by grounding this work in prayer, we may ignite a movement that resonates for generations to come.

Are you ready for Collective Impact?

Assessing readiness and preparing for Collective Impact involves a process of discovery and planning. The following pre-conditions set up your initiative for success:

Influential Champions
Adequate Resources
Long-term Commitment
Urgency for Change

The How of Collective Impact

To achieve meaningful and lasting change, the success of a Collective Impact alliance hinges on six key principles that, when effectively integrated, create a synergy that drives real progress.

Prayer

The role of prayer is not to undergird God’s work, but as the ultimate strategy to breakthrough in the accomplishment of His purposes in the world.

Common Agenda

A common agenda is a shared roadmap outlining a desired future state, key focus areas, and principles for collaboration.

Shared Measurement

Shared measurement aligns partners on how they’ll track progress towards a common goal by agreeing on what data everyone contributes to and uses.

Mutually Reinforcing Activities

To advance shared goals, partners leverage each other’s strengths through coordinated activities that maximize collective impact.

Open & Continuous Communication

To maintain momentum, maximize results, and foster community engagement, partners need clear, ongoing communication about everyone’s contributions and which strategies are most effective.

Backbone Organization

A backbone infrastructure acts as a central coordinator in a collaborative effort, ensuring everyone stays focused on the shared vision and goals while tracking progress and facilitating cooperation to achieve maximum impact.

The Development of Collective Impact

The development of Collective Impact alliances takes time, patience, and strong leadership. It can take up to five years to see tangible results, requiring commitment from everyone involved throughout the process. The initial stages often involve extensive discussions and compromise to get everyone on the same page, and a dedicated backbone organization is crucial to keep the project moving forward, resolving conflicts, and ensuring everyone honors their commitments.