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Harvard Case - Issues in Assessing the Impact of Social Investment: The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (A)

"Issues in Assessing the Impact of Social Investment: The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (A)" Harvard business case study is written by Alexander Von Hoffman, Peter Zimmerman, Mark Moore. It deals with the challenges in the field of Social Enterprise. The case study is 34 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jan 1, 1997

At Fern Fort University, we recommend that LISC develop a comprehensive impact measurement framework that incorporates a multi-dimensional approach, encompassing social, environmental, and economic outcomes. This framework should be aligned with the organization's mission and values, and should be used to track progress towards achieving its goals. LISC should also invest in building capacity for impact measurement within its organization and its partner organizations, and should actively engage with stakeholders to ensure that its impact measurement efforts are relevant and credible.

2. Background

This case study focuses on the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a non-profit organization that invests in community development projects in the United States. LISC faces the challenge of effectively measuring the impact of its investments, particularly in terms of their social and economic benefits. The case highlights the difficulties in quantifying the complex and long-term effects of community development initiatives, and the need for a robust impact measurement framework.

The main protagonists in the case are:

  • LISC: A non-profit organization dedicated to community development and social impact.
  • LISC's Board of Directors: Responsible for overseeing the organization's strategic direction and financial performance.
  • LISC's Staff: Responsible for implementing LISC's programs and managing its investments.
  • LISC's Investors: Individuals and organizations that provide funding for LISC's initiatives.
  • Community Stakeholders: Individuals and organizations that are directly impacted by LISC's investments.

3. Analysis of the Case Study

LISC's current approach to impact measurement is fragmented and lacks a comprehensive framework. The organization relies on a variety of metrics, including financial returns, job creation, and housing units built, but these metrics fail to capture the full range of social and economic impacts. LISC needs to adopt a more holistic approach that considers the following:

  • Triple Bottom Line: LISC's impact measurement framework should consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its investments. This aligns with the principles of social entrepreneurship and impact investing, where the focus is on creating positive change in addition to financial returns.
  • Social Impact Measurement: LISC needs to develop a robust methodology for measuring the social impact of its investments. This can include using SROI (Social Return on Investment) analysis, which quantifies the social value created by an investment.
  • Stakeholder Theory: LISC should engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including community members, government agencies, and investors, to understand their perspectives on the organization's impact. This will help ensure that LISC's impact measurement efforts are relevant and credible.
  • Hybrid Organizations: LISC operates as a hybrid organization, combining the elements of a non-profit with a for-profit business model. This necessitates a nuanced approach to impact measurement, considering both social and financial returns.

4. Recommendations

To address the challenges outlined above, LISC should implement the following recommendations:

  1. Develop a Comprehensive Impact Measurement Framework: LISC should create a clear and consistent framework for measuring the impact of its investments. This framework should include a mix of quantitative and qualitative metrics, and should be aligned with the organization's mission and values.
  2. Invest in Impact Measurement Capacity: LISC should invest in building capacity for impact measurement within its organization. This can include hiring staff with expertise in social impact measurement, providing training to existing staff, and partnering with external organizations that specialize in impact evaluation.
  3. Engage Stakeholders: LISC should actively engage with stakeholders to ensure that its impact measurement efforts are relevant and credible. This can include conducting surveys, focus groups, and town hall meetings to gather feedback from community members, investors, and other stakeholders.
  4. Utilize Technology: LISC should leverage technology to improve its impact measurement capabilities. This can include using data analytics tools to track and analyze data, and developing online platforms for collecting feedback from stakeholders.
  5. Report on Impact: LISC should regularly report on the impact of its investments to its stakeholders. This can include publishing annual reports, creating online dashboards, and presenting findings at conferences and other events.

5. Basis of Recommendations

These recommendations are based on the following considerations:

  1. Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: The recommendations are aligned with LISC's mission to create thriving communities. By developing a robust impact measurement framework, LISC can demonstrate the value of its investments and strengthen its commitment to social impact.
  2. External Customers and Internal Clients: The recommendations address the needs of LISC's external customers (community members, investors) and internal clients (staff, board of directors). By providing clear and credible information about LISC's impact, the organization can build trust and confidence among all stakeholders.
  3. Competitors: The recommendations position LISC as a leader in the field of community development by demonstrating its commitment to impact measurement. This can help LISC attract more funding and partnerships.
  4. Attractiveness ' Quantitative Measures: While quantifying the full impact of community development initiatives is challenging, the recommendations aim to improve LISC's ability to track and measure key metrics. This will help the organization demonstrate the value of its investments and attract additional funding.
  5. Assumptions: The recommendations assume that LISC is committed to social impact and is willing to invest in the resources necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive impact measurement framework.

6. Conclusion

By implementing these recommendations, LISC can significantly improve its ability to measure and demonstrate the impact of its investments. This will strengthen the organization's credibility, attract more funding, and ultimately help LISC achieve its mission of creating thriving communities.

7. Discussion

Other alternatives not selected include:

  • Continuing with the current approach: This would be a risky option, as it would fail to address the limitations of LISC's current impact measurement framework.
  • Focusing solely on financial returns: This would be a narrow approach that would fail to capture the full range of social and economic impacts of LISC's investments.

Key assumptions of the recommendations include:

  • LISC is committed to social impact and is willing to invest in the resources necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive impact measurement framework.
  • LISC can effectively engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure that its impact measurement efforts are relevant and credible.
  • LISC can leverage technology to improve its impact measurement capabilities.

8. Next Steps

LISC should take the following steps to implement the recommendations:

  • Form a task force: LISC should assemble a task force of staff, board members, and external experts to develop a comprehensive impact measurement framework.
  • Pilot test the framework: LISC should pilot test the framework on a select group of investments to assess its effectiveness.
  • Gather stakeholder feedback: LISC should gather feedback from stakeholders on the framework and make adjustments as needed.
  • Develop a reporting system: LISC should develop a system for regularly reporting on the impact of its investments to stakeholders.

By taking these steps, LISC can ensure that its impact measurement efforts are robust, credible, and aligned with its mission of creating thriving communities.

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Case Description

In the early 1980s, The Ford Foundation, among other funders, help create a new type of organization designed to finance the renewal of older, inner city neighborhoods, both through housing renovation and other investments. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation will not undertake projects itself but, instead, will serve as a sort of bank, choosing among proposals submitted by nonprofit development entities. But LISC was by no means making no-strings-attached grants. Instead, it wanted to assure itself -- and those providing its capital -- that it was getting a return on its investment. When a team of consultants is called in to measure LISC's return on investment, it must first consider how such a return might even be defined. Should LISC consider only financial data as regards the repayment of the loans it makes? Or should it consider the catalyzing effects of the organizations it supports on their surrounding neighborhoods? How or should such effects be measured? HKS Case Number 1370.0

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