Category: Perspective

I’ve spent the past year diving deeply into the world of gaming and social impact. Starting with a literature review, what I found offered me tantalizing evidence that games can and do affect aspects of change[1]. Research study after research study demonstrated that it can and does affect change – but these were research studies. … Continued

Ask any funder what they hope to accomplish, and the answer will likely be “lasting change”. But in the current ever-shifting policy environment, we must recognize that lasting change is increasingly difficult to come by.

The need for effective convenings has never been greater.  In our rapidly evolving social and political landscape, organizations are faced with an array of increasingly complex social problems that demand collaborative approaches leading to innovative solutions. Convenings—both in-person and virtual—have the unique potential to address these challenges by building trust, bridging divides, fostering teamwork, and … Continued

A Conversation with TCC Group’s Jared Raynor  Q: In 2020, you authored a pioneering report on understanding the value and effectiveness of convenings for the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, A Framework For the Effective Evaluation of Convenings. Why did you choose to focus on convenings, and which findings surprised you most? I was participating in … Continued

Most conference host cities offer attendees a convenient, welcoming, and unique environment and in that way, New Orleans, where we gathered with our social sector peers from June 2nd-June 5th didn’t disappoint with its extraordinary cuisine, music, culture, and charm. However, with their “equitable exchange with the city”, EPIP’s planners elevated things to another level … Continued

At TCC Group, we know how essential it is to support our philanthropic partners in deepening their accountability and trust with communities to sustain lasting impact. Last year, we shared how we designed a Community Listening Tour to accelerate community-driven approaches to ending the HIV epidemic in Puerto Rico, where historical harm has created a … Continued

It’s a New Year with new beginnings. While any time of the year can be the right time to make a change or reimagine your work, the New Year brings a sense of renewal and promise. In this spirit, we propose making this the year you resolve to build bridges, not barriers, for grantees and … Continued

What TCC Group’s Evaluation Team Brought Back from The American Evaluation Association’s Evaluation 2023 Conference 📖 Storytelling and Evaluation Storytelling in evaluation is a powerful way to describe the cause and effect of programs or initiatives. Walking your audience down the path of a programmatic story is an immersive tactic that will lead to a … Continued

While more than $1 trillion in new money for philanthropy has been promised through the Giving Pledge, most of this money remains on the sidelines. Despite the urgency of local, national, and global social and economic challenges, would-be donors have no accessible, trusted, and reliable way to choose with confidence among the many charitable causes, … Continued

For funders considering various mechanisms for broader and deeper levels of engagement with organizations and stakeholders, Learning Communities are a powerful tool. They support the development of trusting and thoughtful relationships, cultivation of allies and supporters on mission-aligned topics, and establishment of credibility and expertise.  On the grantee side, Learning Communities provide pathways to connectivity … Continued

“Gaming brings people together” – Lisa Su, CEO, Advanced Micro Devices This year, I had the unique opportunity to attend GenCon2023, North America’s largest tabletop game convention. With an estimated attendance surpassing 70,000, this year’s event gathered game designers, developers, distributors, and enthusiasts in Indianapolis. Over several days, attendees shared, tried out, and reveled in … Continued

“Games aren’t just filler in education. They have the ability to introduce, reinforce, or even assess learning of a given topic.” – Kara Carrero Games are fun. But what if we told you that we think that games can be so much more? What if games could not only teach, but evoke empathy, and drive … Continued

Stories are the most powerful tools we have to connect with others, be remembered, and inspire action.[1] A single story can create empathy, challenge beliefs, and change hearts and minds. From Aesop’s Fables to Biblical parables, stories are often embedded with “lessons” about the way the world works, and teach us from a young age … Continued