Making Social Impact Strategy More Than Just a Buzzword

The term “social impact strategy” is often used but not always understood. Dr Rhiannon Parker examines the pitfalls of superficial strategies and highlights how organisations can build authentic, evidence-based approaches that drive meaningful, lasting change.

In my previous post, I explored how social impact strategies are crucial for bridging the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that well-intentioned policies lead to meaningful, sustainable change. However, while the term "social impact strategy" is increasingly used, not all strategies are created equal. Many organisations claim to have a social impact strategy, yet their efforts often fall short of delivering genuine, sustained change. This gap between rhetoric and action highlights the need for authentic, evidence-based approaches that do more than pay lip service to social impact—they must drive real, measurable outcomes.

The Pitfalls of Superficial Strategies

Growing expectations for corporate responsibility and social accountability have pushed many organisations to adopt social impact strategies. However, some fall into the trap of using these strategies as a branding exercise rather than a rigorous, accountable process.

  • Box-Ticking and Performative Acts: Initiatives that look good on paper but lack substance often address symptoms rather than root causes. For example, while the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) require organisations to report on social impact, measurement alone is insufficient—it's the actions that follow that truly make a difference.

  • Disconnected from Stakeholders: Many strategies miss the mark by excluding the voices of those most affected. Without meaningful stakeholder engagement, strategies often reflect organisational goals rather than community needs. True social impact requires strategies built around the people they aim to serve, involving them not just as recipients but as active co-creators of the process.

Building Real Strategies That Drive Change

To ensure social impact strategies deliver on their promise, organisations must move beyond superficial approaches and build robust, evidence-based, and adaptable strategies:

  1. Evidence-Based Design and Continuous Learning: A strong strategy starts with data, research, and ongoing evaluation. Frameworks like the Theory of Change (ToC) connect specific actions to broader social outcomes, ensuring every step is intentional. Integrating continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) helps refine these strategies over time, making them responsive to evolving needs. The Social Impact Roadmap from CSI emphasises the importance of adaptive learning and evidence-based decision-making.

  2. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Authentic strategies are built with, not just for, communities. This principle, often summarised as "Nothing About Us Without Us," ensures that those with lived experience are central to strategy development. Resources like the Change Collection provide guidance on effectively engaging stakeholders in social impact work.

  3. Focus on Systemic Change: Effective social impact strategies go beyond addressing immediate symptoms and aim for systemic change. This means taking a holistic view of interconnected social issues and designing strategies that tackle root causes. For example, the Together Home program addresses homelessness by integrating long-term support services, policy influence, and continuous evaluation, demonstrating how strategy can drive systemic change.

Turning Strategy into Action

Organisations that successfully turn strategy into action build accountability into every step of the process. This involves setting clear, measurable goals, being transparent with stakeholders, and adapting when things aren’t working. Regular reporting and honest evaluations ensure that social impact strategies are not just words on a page but are genuinely driving change.

How to Make Strategy Matter

The real power of a social impact strategy lies in its ability to turn intentions into impactful actions. By focusing on evidence, involving stakeholders, and committing to accountability, organisations can move beyond rhetoric and create social impact strategies that are transformative, driving the change that truly matters.

Further Resources for Effective Social Impact Strategies:

Service DeliveryPower to Persuadesocial enterprise, Non-profit