Designing for sustainability: A case in corporate philanthropy and evaluative thinking
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Given the climate crisis, all sectors must make choices that serve people and planet well into the future. The establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 shifted the global debates on these issues particularly recognizing that sustainability as a critical lens must be applied not only by public and not-for-profit sectors, but also by philanthropy and private sector. The concept, however; remains obscure and misinterpreted by many, particularly when looking across different sectors – making it challenging to evaluate, compare, and contrast different policies, interventions and programs, and their impact. This article draws on examples of the use of various evaluative tools in the philanthropic and private sectors and showcases how sustainability challenges and potential solutions can been critically analyzed, improved, and set up for the best possible outcomes. • How sustainability and complexity play out in the private sector • Applying evaluative tools to manage complexity, systems change and sustainability • Case #1 –Use of theory of change in program design to consider sustainability • Case #2 – Applying the ‘Five Dimensions of Impact’ to manage project sustainability • Case #3 – Using evaluative thinking to pause and reflect on organizational sustainability
Source: Evaluation and Program Planning
Authors: Veronica Olazabal, Alyna Wyatt
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,370
OpenAlex ID: W4408328641