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The Durability Collective: A New Approach to Measuring Social Impact

On May 29, 2025, a significant step was taken towards transforming how social-impact organizations are evaluated with the launch of The Durability Collective. This emerging global community brings together funders, practitioners, and researchers, all focused on a common goal: creating and measuring long-lasting social outcomes.

Traditionally, evaluating social impact, especially in the medium to long-term context, has been perceived as complex and costly. This perspective has often resulted in funders and organizations feeling daunted by the scope of resources needed for rigorous measurement, especially through methods like Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). However, The Durability Collective challenges this notion, advocating for alternative methods that can be both effective and economical.

A Collaborative Community

The collective's initial focus is primarily on organizations dedicated to improving livelihoods, aiming to enhance employment, income, and overall well-being in sustainable ways. By convening a diverse array of stakeholders—including non-profits, multilaterals, and government agencies—The Durability Collective aims to standardize the measurement of what it terms 'durability' outcomes.

Initial Members and Their Vision

The inaugural members of the collective include prominent foundations and organizations such as the Autodesk Foundation, Clayton Dubilier & Rice Foundation, Generation, GitLab Foundation, Livelihood Impact Fund, and UBS Optimus Foundation. Together, these organizations are committed to reshaping the measurement discourse in the sector. They aspire to:

• - Enhance the conversation around the significance of lasting change in social initiatives.
• - Transform sector standards related to medium and long-term measurement outcomes.
• - Foster collaboration by sharing expertise to inspire widespread learning amongst peers.

A Closer Look at The Durability Collective's Initiatives

To effectively engage a broader audience and fulfill its ambitious goals, The Durability Collective outlines several key activities:

1. Launching the Durability Academy

Scheduled for June 2025, the Durability Academy will function as a two-year program tailored for non-profits, funders, and governmental bodies. This program aims to provide practical tools and training that empower organizations to implement robust and effective medium- and long-term outcome measurement practices.

2. Research Partnerships

The Collective seeks to establish partnerships with academic institutions and research entities to delve into interventions that promote sustained outcomes. This will also involve creating an open-source repository of effective methodologies, enriching the collective’s resources.

3. Publishing Thought Leadership

Through insights, case studies, and best practices, the Collective will strive to normalize durability measurement as an essential part of evaluating social impact, ensuring that stakeholders have access to the knowledge they need.

4. Community Building

By fostering a global community, The Durability Collective aims to create a space where stakeholders can share challenges, innovative solutions, and collaborative opportunities. This aspect emphasizes the collective's commitment to continuous learning and development.

Perspectives from Founding Members

Several founding members shared their enthusiasm and perspectives on the initiative:

• - Ishita Jain, Impact Measurement and Management Lead at the Autodesk Foundation, remarked on the opportunity to deepen understanding of impact, underscoring a shift towards recognizing the long-term effects on individuals’ employment and income.

• - Randy Moore, President of CDR Foundation, expressed pride in participating in an initiative aimed at long-term outcomes, highlighting that the approach taken by The Durability Collective offers a unique pathway for transformative change.

• - Dr. Mona Mourshed, Founding CEO of Generation, explained the need for a comprehensive understanding of impact across multiple dimensions – breadth, depth, and durability – emphasizing that tracking durability is vital for measuring true success in social initiatives.

• - Spencer MacColl, Director of Impact at GitLab Foundation, echoed the sentiment about the importance of systemic change, articulating that a collaborative infrastructure is essential for accountability and progress in the measurement of long-term impacts.

• - Jeremy Hockenstein, Managing Director at Livelihood Impact Fund, focused on the necessity of understanding long-term impacts on beneficiaries, which The Durability Collective supports in terms of aiding more effective strategy development.

• - Nalini Tarakeshwar, Deputy CEO of UBS Optimus Foundation, praised The Durability Collective for aligning with its own mission to measure lasting change, reinforcing the importance of strategies that address the global employment crisis, particularly for marginalized youth.

Conclusion

The Durability Collective is more than just an initiative; it is a movement towards reshaping how organizations approach social impact measurement. By emphasizing sustainability and long-term outcomes, it promotes a model that not only values numerical impact but seeks to foster truly lasting change in individual lives and communities globally. For those interested in learning more or participating, further information can be found at durability.net.