Collaborating With Local Leaders for CSR Impact

🌍 How can we better support social entrepreneurs — and why should corporates care? I recently had the chance to join Indio Myles on the great Impact Boom podcast to share lessons from over a decade of building partnerships between global companies and grassroots social ventures. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gthcnCkV Here are a few highlights from our conversation — relevant for anyone working at the intersection of business and impact: 1. Social entrepreneurs are solving humanity’s most urgent challenges. But they’re doing it without the same access to capital, talent, or networks as traditional startups. If we want innovation that serves the planet and all its people, we have to back the changemakers already on the ground. 💡 CSR leaders: Want real impact ROI? Start by listening to the local leaders closest to the problems you're trying to solve. 2. Market traction matters more than awards and investments. Too often, social enterprises are celebrated in pitch competitions but overlooked by procurement and partnership teams. Real change happens when we shift from philanthropy to capacity-building and co-creation. 💡 Social entrepreneurs: Don’t just tell a story — show how your model works, scales, and partners can grow with it. 3. Partnership beats charity. At MovingWorlds, we’ve helped corporations like Microsoft, SAP, and EY collaborate with social enterprises — not as charity cases, but as strategic allies in innovation, market access, and inclusive growth. 💡 CSR teams: You already have the infrastructure to drive systemic change — it just takes aligning purpose with procurement and partnerships. If you're in CSR, social innovation, or the impact ecosystem, I’d love your thoughts: ✅ What’s working in your partnerships? 🚧 What challenges are you seeing? 📢 And how can we build more equitable, scalable solutions — together? #SocialImpact #CSR #SocialEnterprise #CorporateResponsibility #PartnershipsForChange #ImpactBoom #MovingWorlds #MarkHoroszowski #SocEnt #SDGs #SAP4Good

It took me 17 years in international development to learn what actually builds sustainable partnerships—and it’s not what you think. I spent 17 years navigating the intricate world of international development. Here's the shortcut to save you a decade's worth of trial and error in building sustainable partnerships. Listen First: It sounds simple, but truly listening can transform your approach. Lead with curiosity. Instead of jumping into solutions, ask learning questions that show genuine interest. What challenges are they facing? What do ventures and stakeholders value? Local Expertise Matters: Don't swoop in with preconceived notions. Engage with local leaders and communities to identify their strengths and needs. This locally led solution ensures you're not just another outsider pushing an agenda. Build Trust through Transparency: Share your goals, motivations, and even uncertainties! It’s ok to say “I don’t know.” People appreciate honesty more than you think. Focus on Mutual Benefits: Partnerships thrive when both sides feel they're gaining something valuable. Clearly outline how your collaboration can benefit them long term. Be Adaptable: Plans change – especially in international work! Stay flexible and open to adjusting strategies based on feedback from your partners. These principles helped me transform transactional relationships into high-impact collaborations across Africa, and the U.S. They’re also the foundation of how I coach founders today—especially those navigating leadership and business growth. If you're building partnerships that last, start here. What do you wish more people understood about building trust in global partnerships? #InternationalDevelopment #FounderSupport #LeadershipCoaching #Rippleworks #ImpactInvesting #SystemsThinking #SustainablePartnerships #LocallyLedDevelopment #VentureSupport

Here's a partnership that rights holders and brands can work together on, and it's good for the community... I'm excited to see more partnerships that go beyond signage and instead focus on real impact. The Seattle Sounders FC (my local MLS Team) and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) have launched a multi-year collaboration that fuses purpose, education, and community outreach while aligning with fan values and club culture. This partnership is the kind of strategic thinking that raises the bar in sponsorships. Seattle Sounders FC and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) have announced a new multi-year partnership focused on energy efficiency, sustainability, and impactful community outreach. Why is this important? - Purpose-Driven Partnership: PSE becomes Sounders FC's Official Energy Efficiency Partner, aligning brand purpose with community needs. I'm a big fan of these because rights holders can be the echo chamber for messaging. - Localized Community Impact: The partnership centers on reaching underserved households and educating them about PSE's energy-saving programs. - Player Ambassador Activation: Midfielder Pedro de la Vega will be the face of the campaign, helping to bridge the gap between fans and public resources. - Cultural Relevance: Tapping into the passion of soccer fans to inspire action around sustainability and energy awareness. Within Washington State, soccer has a very passionate fan base. - Strategic Alignment: Combines sport, environmental responsibility, and social good—all pillars of modern brand partnerships. How brands can activate partnerships like this: - Leverage player ambassadors for trust and reach. - Focus on CSR-related initiatives that resonate locally and regionally. Use team platforms and channels to scale educational messaging. - Partner with nonprofit arms (e.g., RAVE Foundation) for grassroots programming. When brands and rights holders lead with purpose and deliver measurable value, the result is more than just impressions—it's impact. This collaboration is a model for how teams and utilities (or other service providers) can empower communities while building affinity. For more, we're always here to help. #sportsbiz #partnership #heretohelp