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The Durability Collective: A Pioneer in Measuring Sustainable Impact

On May 29, 2025, The Durability Collective was launched, marking a new chapter in the global pursuit of measuring and optimizing societal outcomes. This innovative community brings together funders, professionals, and researchers, all committed to reimagining how organizations create, measure, and sustain meaningful change.

A New Perspective on Measurement

Traditionally, the process of assessing long-term impacts has seemed overwhelming due to the resources and costs involved, particularly when relying on conventional methods like Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Contrary to this viewpoint, The Durability Collective believes that effective measurement of medium- and long-term outcomes is not only feasible but also cost-efficient. Their mission is to provide alternative measurement approaches that complement traditional methods, yielding valuable insights into sustainable impact.

Building a Global Network of Stakeholders

The initiative convenes a diverse array of stakeholders—including funders, nonprofit organizations, multilateral organizations, and government agencies—who share a common goal: to measure and enhance sustainability outcomes. By shifting focus primarily towards organizations dedicated to livelihoods, participants can concentrate on the activities that most significantly contribute to employment, income, and overall well-being.

Key founding members of The Durability Collective include esteemed organizations such as the Autodesk Foundation, Clayton Dubilier & Rice Foundation, Generation, GitLab Foundation, Livelihood Impact Fund, and UBS Optimus Foundation. Together, they strive to:

• - Ensure that the question "Is the change durable?" becomes a central topic of discussion across the sector.
• - Transform sector standards into practical frameworks for medium- and long-term outcome measurement.
• - Provide informed expertise collaboratively and transparently, facilitating shared learning experiences among members.

Innovative Initiatives to Foster Change

To engage a wider network and realize these objectives, The Durability Collective will implement several initiatives:

1. Durability Academy

The Durability Academy is set to launch in June 2025, introducing a two-year program designed to equip nonprofits, funders, and government bodies with practical tools and training to adopt effective medium- and long-term measurement strategies.

2. Research Partnerships

By collaborating with academic institutions and research organizations, The Durability Collective will identify effective measures that can accelerate sustainable outcomes, creating an open repository of successful approaches to share best practices within the community.

3. Thought Leadership

The organization plans to publish insights, case studies, and proven methodologies that integrate sustainability measurement as a core component of assessing social impact. This will empower organizations to understand better the nuances of their contributions to the community.

4. Community Building

The Collective aims to foster a global community where members can freely share challenges, ideas, and innovative solutions, promoting a culture of cooperation and collective problem-solving.

Voices from Founding Members

Ishita Jain, Head of Impact Measurement and Management at Autodesk Foundation, emphasized the opportunity presented by The Durability Collective to deepen their understanding of impact. She stated, “This initiative represents a shift towards truly grasping what matters—the lasting effects on the employment and income of learners.”

Randy Moore, President of the CDR Foundation, expressed pride in supporting an initiative focused on long-term outcomes for both talent and organizations. He acknowledged the promising potential of the Collective’s practical approach to impact measurement.

Dr. Mona Mourshed, founding CEO of Generation, articulated the belief in the transformative power of employment and highlighted the often-overlooked significance of durability in measuring impact. The Collective is seen as a catalyst for emphasizing durable change as a metric of success that is both achievable and economically viable.

Spencer MacColl from GitLab Foundation expressed commitment to systemic change, aligning with the Collective’s goals to facilitate the assessment of long-term impacts. He spoke of establishing infrastructure conducive to shared learning and accountability, which is essential for sustained progress.

Jeremy Hockenstein of the Livelihood Impact Fund noted its mission to improve the lives of the impoverished meaningfully and sustainably over the years, not just months. The Durability Collective is poised to assist them and their partners in achieving this goal more effectively.

Finally, Nalini Tarakeshwar from UBS Optimus Foundation underscored the importance of the Collective's mission, which aligns with their vision of promoting systemic changes based on outcome measurements. The foundation recognizes the urgency of addressing the global employment crisis exacerbated by skill mismatches, particularly affecting marginalized young women.

For those interested in joining The Durability Collective or learning more, visit durability.net. This initiative symbolizes the future of impact measurement and the power of collaborative efforts in creating enduring social change.

Conclusion

The Durability Collective exemplifies a new wave of thinking about social impact, prioritizing sustainable outcomes and collaborative efforts to optimize measurement methodologies. As communities rally around this goal, the potential for transformative change becomes ever more attainable, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.