What is Social Impact?
Social impact is the difference a business or organization makes to the people and places that it engages with. Every company may have a social impact, but it is the driving force for charitable organizations and socially conscious companies. The social impact that these organizations achieve is intentional and at the core of their mission.
Organizations focused on social impact often utilize program evaluation, strategic marketing, and diversified revenue to achieve their goals. An online master’s program in organizational leadership can help students interested in creating this impact at their organizations develop the leadership skills and knowledge to do so.
Why Is Social Impact Important?
Social impact is important because it creates positive change. Organizations that are mindful of their social impact can improve the wellbeing of both individuals and communities, no matter how small the effort may seem. It’s vital to connect individuals in marginalized communities with quality resources to create more equitable circumstances for those individuals.
Social impact is not just important from a social perspective, but also an ecological one. Often organizations include sustainability as a part of their social impact considerations. The more emphasis that companies place on sustainability, the greener their operations are likely to be. This helps to alleviate the environment of unnecessary waste and pollution.
How Is Social Impact Measured?
How do organizations know whether their goals of creating meaningful change are being met? With the help of data collection and digital impact framework tools, companies are able to make their mission measurable.
Employing data analytics is crucial to gathering insightful information regarding an organization’s program and service efficacy. While it can be difficult to quantify social impact, identifying various aspects of the organization’s mission, such as intended beneficiary groups or areas, can help streamline and refine data collection.
Different Careers in Social Impact
Through developing and implementing efforts of social innovations and interventions, organizational leaders can serve as agents of change for their communities and the world. Students considering working in social impact may reflect on the different careers within the field to help develop professional goals.
Social and Community Service Managers
Social and community service managers work with various community members and stakeholders to determine varying demographics’ needs and develop services to meet those needs. In addition to establishing positive community programs, social and community service managers oversee outreach activities to increase program awareness, assess service effectiveness through data analytics, and create and implement program and service improvements.
Job Outlook for Social and Community Service Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the number of social and community service manager jobs will grow 8% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects the growth of social and community service management roles to align with an increasing need for social services and programs.
Salary for Social and Community Service Managers
The median annual wage was $77,030 for social and community service managers in May 2023, according to the BLS. The top industries and their respective median annual salaries for these social impact careers are nursing and residential care facilities, family services, religious and civic organizations, and local government.
Fundraising Managers
Fundraising managers are an integral part of achieving organizational social impact goals. They are responsible for coordinating campaigns that secure donations for their organization and its mission. Fundraising managers also work to boost company reputation and visibility to achieve donations. This position helps organizations reach fiscal markers necessary to support both operations and launch methods for social change.
Job Outlook for Fundraising Managers
According to the BLS in May 2023, the number of jobs for fundraising managers is expected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033. Employment growth in fundraising management is due in part to the continual need for community outreach and donations, particularly for nonprofits.
Salary for Fundraising Managers
Fundraising managers make median annual salaries ranging from $91,680 to $134,110, according to BLS data from May 2023, depending on the industry that they worked in. Those working in social assistance made the former median annual wages and fundraising managers in state, local, and private hospitals made the latter.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources (HR) managers are responsible for an organization’s administrative processes and functions regarding employees. They develop and create programs that support employee well-being, encourage socially responsible practices and recruiting, and ensure that organizational compliance is met. Their work helps create inclusive workplace environments, facilitate sustainability efforts, and uphold ethics in the workplace.
Job Outlook for HR Managers
The BLS projects that the career opportunities for HR managers are expected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033. This need is likely due to professionals changing positions or retiring.
Salary for HR Managers
The median annual salary for HR managers was $136,350 in May 2023, per the BLS. While the lowest 10% of earners made around $81,060, the highest 10% earned more than $136,350. Differences in salary can be attributed to career industry, position level, and more.
Start Your Journey in Social Impact at CLU
Social impact is an important aspect of organizational development and corporate responsibility. A position that fosters positive social impact has the power to benefit individuals, communities, and the environment.
Claremont Lincoln University offers part- and full-time online master’s programs to cater to students’ differing timelines. With an online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, an online Master of Arts in Human Resources Management, or an online Master of Arts in Social Impact, students can gain various skills in developing strategic initiatives to positively impact their organizations. CLU champions ethical leadership, supporting students on their journeys to becoming mission-driven change makers and leaders through mindfulness, dialogue, collaboration, and change.
Learn more about Claremont Lincoln University’s online programs today.
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
Claremont Lincoln University is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues.
