Our Approach
The Collective Impact Model
What Is Collective Impact?
Working Together to Create Lasting Change
Our island boundaries create unique issues, but also means our challenges are definable, measurable and – when working together – solvable. With over 600 community, government and nonprofit organizations on Kaua’i, we at KPAA believe that creating these solutions must include many people, systems, and perspectives.
That’s where Collective Impact comes in.
Instead of organizations working independently toward similar goals, the collective impact model brings them together around a shared vision, helping everyone move in the same direction while leveraging their unique strengths.
Instead of asking:
“How can our organization solve this problem?”
Collective Impact asks:
“How can we solve this problem together?”
The 5 Conditions of Collective Impact
1. A Common Agenda
Everyone agrees on the problem they’re trying to solve and shares a common vision for success.
2. Shared Measurement
Organizations track progress using the same indicators, making it easier to understand what’s working and where efforts are needed.
3. Mutually Reinforcing Activities
Each organization contributes in different ways based on its strengths, while supporting a larger coordinated strategy.
4. Continuous Communication
Regular communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and helps partners learn from one another.
5. A Backbone Organization (That’s Us!)
A backbone organization provides the coordination that keeps the entire effort moving forward. Rather than delivering services directly, it helps partners collaborate more effectively by:
- Convening organizations
- Facilitating meetings
- Managing shared data
- Measuring outcomes
- Coordinating strategy
- Supporting communication
- Securing resources
This coordination allows participating organizations to focus on what they do best while contributing to a larger collective effort.
Applying Collective Impact at KPAA
Example: from direct service to network support
Our Maternal and Child Health Specialization Lead, Leah Ho, is one of the most visible faces of KPAA. If you’ve been to one of our Mini Kiosks, Car Seat Safety Checks, or unsheltered family services, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Leah, because she’s often at the intersection of multiple organizations and agencies (Department of Health, Department of Education, Kaua’i Police Department, to name a few).
As KPAA intentionally adopts the role of a backbone organization, Leah is now positioning to provide a more strategic islandwide support role: filling in the pukas among various nonprofit, public and private efforts to improve health outcomes for Kaua’i children and families.
Our Kaua’i Youth Report (see right) is a concrete example of how KPAA’s work in this area becomes an islandwide product of use to organizations and agencies working with children and families.
