Equitable Development + Social Impact Terms
Authenticity
Opening the door to transparency and building a foundation of trust is crucial for neighborhoods and its citizens to take responsibility community transformation
Biomimicry
Approaching innovation through nature’s patterns and strategies to develop sustainable solutions to human challenges (Biomimicry Institute)
Capital
Commonly, financial assets which may be used to generate wealth through investment; also, the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively (social capital), the people who translate bold ideas into action and those who support them (human capital), or, the collective knowledge of the individuals in an organization or society (intellectual capital) (Complete Capital, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Integrated Capital)
Collective Entrepreneurship
Conducting business and sharing ownership as a group or partnership to pool resources, diversify risk and raise funds
Co-powerment
Equipping individuals and organizations with the right set of tools and power to effectively execute their business or project ideas with confidence (Boje & Rosile)
Ecosystem
The “landscape” within which an organization or individual operates; a theoretical map which helps to understand the dynamics between all the entities, functions, relationships, opportunities and environmental factors within, and identify and address systemic issues or gaps in essential services and functions (Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builders)
Equity
Putting local citizens at the heart of all discussions and opportunities to develop resilience, and withstand the natural shocks and stresses of society and the environment (Equitable Development: The Path to an All In Pittsburgh, Equity Cafe Toolkit, Barriers & Bridges Report)
Extractive
Industries and ecosystems which create their wealth and opportunity by removing value from the host system, typically of less power or status, leaving them more dependent and vulnerable
Impact
Betterment of the lives of people, both as individuals and groups, and particularly underserved populations; to create significant societal improvement
Outcomes
The results, impact and/or accomplishments which define the changes that have taken place because of your organization’s outputs (p4 Pittsburgh Performance Measures, IRIS Metrics)
Outputs
The activities, services, methods and/or approaches of an organization
Regenerative
Ecosystems which promote self-sufficiency, self-organizing, and resilience, where activities do not pollute or deplete the host system, and contributes to its ability to thrive by maintaining reliable inputs and healthy outputs (Regenerative Capitalism)
Respect & Inclusion
Giving a fair chance to individuals and ideas regardless of background, experience or lack thereof
Scale
Defining growth as a multi-dimensional unit of measure for impact in terms of geography, height, breadth, and depth
Self-Awareness
Encouraging a reflective, adaptive approach toward new methods and solutions in order to catalyze interactions and fluid conversations, which in turn maximize social value
Social Enterprise
Broadly encompasses ventures of nonprofits, civic-minded individuals, and for-profit businesses that can yield both financial and social returns (GrantSpace.org)
Social Innovation
The process of developing and deploying effective solutions to challenging and often systemic social and environmental issues utililizing the exchange of ideas and values, shifts in roles and relationships, and the integration of private capital with public and philanthropic support (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Community Development Innovation)
Stakeholders
A person, entity or community with an interest or concern in a nonprofit’s mission fulfillment
Vibrancy
Comprised of three key facets — culture, sustainability & opportunity — vibrancy broadly encompasses a community’s liveability, social stability, economic development, and the attraction and retention of residents & businesses (Vibrant Communities)
