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The Social Profit Handbook: The Essential Guide to Setting Goals, Assessing Outcomes, and Achieving Success for Mission-Driven Organizations
How to Articulate and Assess What Success Looks Like
The Social Profit Handbook offers those who lead, govern, and support mission-driven organizations and businesses new ways to assess their impact in order to improve future work rather than merely judge past performance.
For-profit institutions measure their success primarily by monetary gains. But nonprofit institutions are different; they aim for social profit. How do you measure the success of these social profit institutions, where missions are focused on the well-being of people, place, and planet?
Drawing upon decades of leadership in schools and the foundation and nonprofit worlds, author David Grant offers strategies—from creating mission time to planning backwards to constructing qualitative assessment rubrics—that help organizations take assessment back into their own hands, and improve their work as a result. His insights, illustrated by numerous case studies, make this book a unique organizational development tool for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, as well as emerging mission-based social venture businesses, such as low-profit corporations and B Corps.
The Social Profit Handbook presentsassessment and evaluation not as ends in themselves but as the path toward achieving what matters most in the social sector. The more benefits to society and stronger, more unified, more effective organizations prepared to make the world a better place.
The Social Profit Handbook offers those who lead, govern, and support mission-driven organizations and businesses new ways to assess their impact in order to improve future work rather than merely judge past performance.
For-profit institutions measure their success primarily by monetary gains. But nonprofit institutions are different; they aim for social profit. How do you measure the success of these social profit institutions, where missions are focused on the well-being of people, place, and planet?
Drawing upon decades of leadership in schools and the foundation and nonprofit worlds, author David Grant offers strategies—from creating mission time to planning backwards to constructing qualitative assessment rubrics—that help organizations take assessment back into their own hands, and improve their work as a result. His insights, illustrated by numerous case studies, make this book a unique organizational development tool for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, as well as emerging mission-based social venture businesses, such as low-profit corporations and B Corps.
The Social Profit Handbook presentsassessment and evaluation not as ends in themselves but as the path toward achieving what matters most in the social sector. The more benefits to society and stronger, more unified, more effective organizations prepared to make the world a better place.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2015
18 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 5, 2017
I like the idea of re-framing "non-profit" work to "social profit" work, to focus on what you are adding (social services or social capital) and stop focusing on what you aren't doing (making a profit). This book talks a lot about rubrics and data and measurement, the author seems to think his audience has very little idea of any of those things, or is afraid of or resistant to them, so that was a little annoying. But overall, he makes some excellent points that I will certainly take into consideration as I move forward in my new job.
August 21, 2022
The “social profit” framing of the book is somewhat useful, but the real value of the book comes through in its in depth exploration of the value of developing rubrics as a qualitative evaluation and planning framework. The book does a great job breaking down how and when to develop rubrics as part of backward planning for programs and initiatives. The examples are clear and concrete and immediately applicable.
October 17, 2021
What are the main ideas?
* there are two types of assessment: formative and summative. formative assessment is evaluation for the purpose of improvement (tasting food as it's being prepared to improve it). summative assessment is evaluation that determines the final quality of something (the restaurant critic).
* although it doesn't have to be like this, summative assessment in our culture is often punitive.
* we could a lot of improvement in the process and impact of work in the social profit sector if we do more formative assessment (and mostly get rid of summative assessments). this would be most powerful if the formative assessment was taken on by the people doing and/or impacted by the work.
* "mission time", time dedicated to focus on the mission of a person/project/organization, is extremely rare in the social profit world and that is problematic. if we gave ourselves more mission time, we would see drastic improvements in our effectiveness.
* one excellent tool to structure mission time is the rubric.
* rubrics are an excellent tool for formative (and i guess also summative) assessment. they are underused in the social profit sector.
* when developed collaborative, rubrics can help groups develop clear visions of success, failure, and mediocrity; all of which are helpful for assessing work in an ongoing way.
* one continually surprising benefit of rubric design (in the way david grant does it) is that a lot can be illuminated in the work to define the difference between "perfectly acceptable" success and "exemplary" success.
* everyone should have a footlong bookshelf.
If I implemented one idea from this book right now, which one would it be?
1. create more "mission time."
2. develop a footlong bookshelf.
How would I describe the book to a friend?
an incredibly pragmatic read that has helped me rethink assessment. the first half of the book is framing and reframing of a few key ideas: what is assessment, what is it good/not good for, how do we use or fail to use our time wisely, and a couple others. the second half is a deep dive into the content and process of developing rubrics. it has copious examples that really drive the point home: collaborative development of rubrics to do formative assessment in social profit work is an excellent investment of time. overall, this rubric work seems like a really straightforward, not necessarily easy, way to integrate visioning and reflection into the work of the social sector. i feel very excited to try it on.
* there are two types of assessment: formative and summative. formative assessment is evaluation for the purpose of improvement (tasting food as it's being prepared to improve it). summative assessment is evaluation that determines the final quality of something (the restaurant critic).
* although it doesn't have to be like this, summative assessment in our culture is often punitive.
* we could a lot of improvement in the process and impact of work in the social profit sector if we do more formative assessment (and mostly get rid of summative assessments). this would be most powerful if the formative assessment was taken on by the people doing and/or impacted by the work.
* "mission time", time dedicated to focus on the mission of a person/project/organization, is extremely rare in the social profit world and that is problematic. if we gave ourselves more mission time, we would see drastic improvements in our effectiveness.
* one excellent tool to structure mission time is the rubric.
* rubrics are an excellent tool for formative (and i guess also summative) assessment. they are underused in the social profit sector.
* when developed collaborative, rubrics can help groups develop clear visions of success, failure, and mediocrity; all of which are helpful for assessing work in an ongoing way.
* one continually surprising benefit of rubric design (in the way david grant does it) is that a lot can be illuminated in the work to define the difference between "perfectly acceptable" success and "exemplary" success.
* everyone should have a footlong bookshelf.
If I implemented one idea from this book right now, which one would it be?
1. create more "mission time."
2. develop a footlong bookshelf.
How would I describe the book to a friend?
an incredibly pragmatic read that has helped me rethink assessment. the first half of the book is framing and reframing of a few key ideas: what is assessment, what is it good/not good for, how do we use or fail to use our time wisely, and a couple others. the second half is a deep dive into the content and process of developing rubrics. it has copious examples that really drive the point home: collaborative development of rubrics to do formative assessment in social profit work is an excellent investment of time. overall, this rubric work seems like a really straightforward, not necessarily easy, way to integrate visioning and reflection into the work of the social sector. i feel very excited to try it on.
April 9, 2015
In his book Grant provides proven, actionable strategies that help low-profit and non-profit organizations take charge of their operations in order to improve their future. The goal of the book is to teach you how to create assessment rubrics, develop a solid social business plan, properly measure your success, and effectively set attainable goals.
For your convenience, I had David Grant on my podcast, The Entrepreneurs Library, to give a deep dive on The Social Profit Handbook. With David’s experience he gives amazing insight on how to take any mission-riven organization above and beyond. If you would like to get a more in-depth look from the author himself check out episode 195 on the EL website or you can find the show on iTunes.
For your convenience, I had David Grant on my podcast, The Entrepreneurs Library, to give a deep dive on The Social Profit Handbook. With David’s experience he gives amazing insight on how to take any mission-riven organization above and beyond. If you would like to get a more in-depth look from the author himself check out episode 195 on the EL website or you can find the show on iTunes.
February 3, 2021
4.5
This book was incredibly informative for nonprofit strategic planning. The focus of the book was on using rubrics as a tool for assessment and growth, which I found to be an interesting and valuable idea at the very least. What was more informative in my opinion, is the intense focus Grant put on the social profit of the work of your organization, as well as the importance of collaboration, consistency, and the importance of devoting specific times to continuing the mission of your organization. I do think the book fell off a bit when it got to the examples--I was listening on Scribd and as far as I know did not have access to the PDF's he was referencing, but overall I would definitely recommend to people who are working at nonprofit/social profit organizations, specifically if your job focus is strategic planning or assessment.
This book was incredibly informative for nonprofit strategic planning. The focus of the book was on using rubrics as a tool for assessment and growth, which I found to be an interesting and valuable idea at the very least. What was more informative in my opinion, is the intense focus Grant put on the social profit of the work of your organization, as well as the importance of collaboration, consistency, and the importance of devoting specific times to continuing the mission of your organization. I do think the book fell off a bit when it got to the examples--I was listening on Scribd and as far as I know did not have access to the PDF's he was referencing, but overall I would definitely recommend to people who are working at nonprofit/social profit organizations, specifically if your job focus is strategic planning or assessment.
March 13, 2018
David Grant's book is a must-read for any organization keen on focusing its mission, planning how best to fulfill it, and measuring its success in a practical and productive way. The former President and C.E.O. of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and founder, along with his wife, of the pioneering Mountain School of Milton Academy, Grant understands what makes for dynamic and productive institutions, and his clearly-written prescriptions for refining the function and ethos of any organization will not fail to enlighten and inspire.
December 6, 2020
Is the book optimistic? Definitely. Idealistic? Yes. Naive? A little bit. Out of touch? Sure. But for all that, this is an inspiring little book based around a few really simple ideas. If you work in a non-profit, then take those ideas and apply them in ways that make sense for your organization. Rubrics are a good idea, mission time is a great idea (though the execution probably needs to be modified). Recommended.
January 11, 2023
This is a second read, this time in preparation for a client’s strategic planning process. I am so grateful for Grant’s clear, specific challenge so what he terms Social Profit (LOVE THIS, ears up funders!!) regarding their ability to measure success for predominantly non-quantifiable ideals and programs. It’s brilliant.
February 1, 2023
Work reading. Got this book at an evaluation training this summer. Rubrics are completely new to me and honestly, I wish I had a ton of time to create them for all my programs!
April 11, 2015
Social profit = Major Profit
The use of qualitative analysis is looked upon in the scientific world as soft science and thus bottom tier. However, as Grant points out, not only does it have a usefulness it can and will make a profound difference in your organization and development. In the social sector, this analysis allows everyone s at all levels to have a clear view of what they are working towards and how to work well towards common goals.
Additionally. This book is not limited to the social profit sector, as rubrics and self evaluation are key spends to any organisation in any sector to grow and expand richly.
The use of qualitative analysis is looked upon in the scientific world as soft science and thus bottom tier. However, as Grant points out, not only does it have a usefulness it can and will make a profound difference in your organization and development. In the social sector, this analysis allows everyone s at all levels to have a clear view of what they are working towards and how to work well towards common goals.
Additionally. This book is not limited to the social profit sector, as rubrics and self evaluation are key spends to any organisation in any sector to grow and expand richly.
December 10, 2016
Good primer on how non-profits can up their game by using system level changes as their main goal. I'm a big fan of the Whole Measures system that is covered in here and have used it for many years. Additionally, I'd like to see more non-profits focus on creating leaders and devising better jobs as one of the main measures of success; after all, people power is the idea of non-profit work! This book will be helpful to many for thinking through these questions. I've already recommended it to 2 executive directors.
May 10, 2015
Crystal clear book that organises the things you sort of kind of knew and felt were right, but never had the framework for. Breath of fresh air!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews