--- title: Tamarack's Collective Impact Toolkit - Chapter 1 description: "Chapter 1: What is Collective Impact?" --- ## Chapter 1: What is Collective Impact? [**Collective Impact**](http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.lano.org/resource/dynamic/blogs/20131007_093137_25993.pdf) is a disciplined, cross-sector approach to solving complex issues on a large scale. First defined by John Kania and Mark Kramer of [**FSG: Social Impact Consultants**](http://www.fsg.org/) in an article published in the [**Stanford Social Innovation Review**](http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/collective_impact) in the Winter of 2011, it includes five conditions and three pre-conditions, which when applied in a comprehensive way, have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in addressing a broad range of issues. Collective Impact has garnered rapid uptake, in part due to the clear and elegant way that Kania and Kramer describe its collaborative, multi-sector approach. Collective Impact is also very much an evolving body of practice whose effectiveness is being accelerated as the learning and experience of the growing number of practitioners who are now implementing it are sharing their insights and experiences. ### Collective Impact Tools #### Primary Each chapter's primary tools are fundamental resources designed to help grow a more complete understanding of each stage of Collective Impact. Start your journey in this chapter by reviewing each of the primary tools. Once this is complete, you can move on to the secondary and diving deeper resources to help gain a better grasp of specific elements that have been introduced. - [TOOL | Collective Impact at a Glance ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Collective%20Impact/Tools/CI%20at%20a%20Glance%20Tool%20April%202017.pdf?hsCtaTracking=f373472e-47b9-46ab-9e57-d8796c8dc0d5%7Cad62a36a-98f0-472a-a920-cd114da35f3c) A two-page overview of Collective Impact  - [TOOL | Five Conditions of Collective Impact](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Collective%20Impact/Tools/Five%20Conditions%20Tools%20April%202017.pdf?hsCtaTracking=e956c2f9-a32f-4a35-b6eb-a7311ed97e66%7C44a7df91-f0da-47e0-a864-2b9c58c827ad) The five conditions that together can help lead to alignment and results - TOOL | [Five Phases Reflection and Planning ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/2019%20-%20CI%205%20Phases%20Reflection%20%26%20Planning%20Tool.pdf?hsLang=en) Self-Assessment and Planning Tool based on FSG's '5 Phases of Collective Impact' - TOOL | [Pre-Assessment Snapshot](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/CI%20Toolkit/Pre-Assessment%20Snapshot.pdf?hsLang=en) This tool is intended to enable you to provide a high-level overview of your Collective Impact Project and your work to date. #### Secondary Secondary resources include articles, videos and websites that help you further your knowledge of the chapter's topic. Use these resources for any questions you may have, or for finding resources that will assist you in your collective impact journey. - [ARTICLE | Collective Impact Principles of Practice](https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/resources/collective-impact-principles-practice) A new resource that can guide practitioners about how to successfully put collective impact into action. - [TOOL | Collective Impact Framing Questions Worksheet](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/CI%20Toolkit/Collective%20Impact%20Framing%20Questions%20Worksheet.pdf?hsLang=en) Assess readiness to be part of a Collective Impact Initiative - [VIDEO | What is Collective Impact?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNOnrrIYvdo) This FSG video provides a brief explanation of Collective Impact in just under two minutes. - [VIDEO | Tackling Complex Social Problems through Collective Impact](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmMk63ihNM) This video by the Collective Impact Forum describes what Collective Impact is. We know that these questions aren’t always easy to answer, even for Collective Impact practitioners. - [WEBINAR | Introduction to Collective Impact](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yntpKNe5aTc&__hssc=163327267.16.1601920112908&__hstc=163327267.a4a25794729e13250d931c8830658402.1594145726684.1601908085358.1601920112908.107&__hsfp=370357625&hsCtaTracking=197702b8-2c3d-4e52-a27b-16b978d8b035%7C56aeae28-e3ac-4368-8625-894ab125887e) Sylvia Cheuy gives an engaging introduction to the ideas and practices that foster Collective Impact in communities. She also helps distinguish collective impact from other forms of collaboration, to indicate just how profound collective impact really is. - [WEBINAR | Why Collective Impact and Why Now?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVH9ip4KVIA&__hssc=163327267.18.1601920112908&__hstc=163327267.a4a25794729e13250d931c8830658402.1594145726684.1601908085358.1601920112908.107&__hsfp=370357625&hsCtaTracking=2bc2d957-ae7d-41c2-aaa4-17941850e5fa%7C6d9741b5-59a0-455c-a02c-738241ff6d01) Melody Barnes and Paul Born explore the theme of Collective Impact and why it's crucial that leaders embrace this framework right now. The White House Council for Community Solutions adopted Collective Impact as one of two key strategies to advance the communities agenda across America when Melody was there. - [WEBSITE | Collective Impact Framework ](https://collaborationforimpact.com)This website has some great resources and diagrams regarding Collective Impact.  - [WEBSITE | FSG](https://www.fsg.org) A website with lots of tools and resources on Collective Impact. #### Diving Deeper Should you wish to explore this stage of Collective Impact further, you can find a few additional resources within the diving deeper section. This will include external papers and tools that can grow your expertise to new heights.  - [ARTICLE | Collective Impact](https://ssir.org/articles/entry/collective_impact#) This article introduces the concept of Collective Impact. - [PAPER | Collective Impact 3.0](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Events/CCI/2016_CCI_Toronto/CCI_Publications/Collective_Impact_3.0_FINAL_PDF.pdf?t=1472671593093&__hssc=163327267.21.1601920112908&__hstc=163327267.a4a25794729e13250d931c8830658402.1594145726684.1601908085358.1601920112908.107&__hsfp=370357625&hsCtaTracking=2004d74b-f861-48af-855d-eb4a9ccb22a4%7Ccbe8119a-e05c-43a8-afec-12498cea1f11&hsLang=en) Mark Cabaj and Liz Weaver put forward fresh thinking around five ways to build the next iteration of the Collective Impact Framework with their publication Collective Impact 3.0 - An Evolving Framework for Community Change. - [TOOL | Compendium of Collective Impact Resources: The Five Phases](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Resources/Tools/TOOL%20-%20Compendium%20on%20Collective%20Impact.pdf?__hssc=163327267.25.1601920112908&__hstc=163327267.a4a25794729e13250d931c8830658402.1594145726684.1601908085358.1601920112908.107&__hsfp=370357625&hsCtaTracking=a1ac867b-b1b7-44b0-bc58-2e20fe53279c%7C0ccf470b-a186-445c-8bde-819e3b0379d2&hsLang=en) This Compendium of Collective Impact resources will help you build your capacity to drive a Collective Impact initiative at each phase, and identify key resources and questions throughout the lifecycle of your Collective Impact effort.         [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=3401&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en) ### Tamarack [Home](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en) [Latest](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest?hsLang=en) [Events](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/eventlisting?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/donate?hsLang=en) [About](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/whoweare?hsLang=en) ### Follow Us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/TamarackInstitute) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/Tamarack_Inst) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamarack-institute-for-community-engagement)   In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been home since time immemorial to the ancestors of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. ### Subscribe Be in the know. 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