Social Impact
Rebuilding Local News, One Town at a Time
Bob Rifkin ’89, president of the board of the Belmont Voice, says the nonprofit model for local news has had a palpable impact on his community—and can do the same for your town.
Responding to COVID-19 in the Developing World
The mass social distancing strategy being used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and Europe doesn’t easily translate to a developing country like Bangladesh, which lacks the capacity to impose restrictions or provide a social safety net for the unemployed.
How Evidence Can Make International Development More Effective
Research by Yale SOM’s Rodrigo Canales and Tony Sheldon points toward a new model that brings together academics, policy makers, and NGOs from the beginning of the process in order to better integrate evidence generation into policy and practice.
Study Leverages Peer Effects to Encourage Adoption of Hygienic Latrines
Consumers often aren’t willing to take a chance on a new product until their neighbors do. A new study investigated the use of targeted subsidies that leveraged such "peer effects" to spark adoption of hygienic latrines, which reduce the spread of pathogens.
Three Questions: Prof. X. Frank Zhang on the Drop in Charitable Giving
Adjusted for inflation, charitable giving in the United States fell by 1.7% in 2018, We asked Prof. X. Frank Zhang what explains the decline and how policymakers can encourage more giving.
Is Making an Impact the Path to Profit?
According to Prof. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie of Lagos Business School, entrepreneurs focused on solving problems and ongoing innovation grow their businesses faster, make more money—and have a bigger impact than any government or nonprofit.
James Robertson ’99 on the Fallout from Doing the Right Thing
James Robertson ’99, former CEO of the India HIV/AIDS Alliance, on facing the consequences of a tough ethical call—and the unexpected upside that can result.
Can the Microcredit Model Be Improved?
Studies suggest that the long-term impact of microfinance is limited. Yale SOM’s Mushfiq Mobarak and the University of Chicago’s Vikas Dimble write that the much-touted policy tool can help more people by modifying and extending its model.
Can Mobile Money Boost Financial Inclusion in Southern Africa?
Linda Du ’19, an MBA student at Yale SOM, traveled to Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to talk with providers, customers, and others about the technology’s potential.
How Can Philanthropy Do More Good?
Aaron Dorfman of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy argues that foundations need to re-think their strategies and tactics.
Perspective: The Philanthropist
How can philanthropy contribute to regional economic development in Appalachian Ohio? Cara Brook explains the sector’s critical role in retaining wealth and enabling local initiatives.
