Measuring and Improving Social Impacts

3Understanding the Problem

We don’t always invest in causes based on a systematic, thoughtful process. But by thinking carefully about which issues matter most to us, we can direct our resources to initiatives that best address the issues we care about. John, a physician who was also an avid hiker, regularly donated money and time to outdoor programs and volunteered every summer to build and maintain wilderness trails. One summer, however, his focus changed. While he was traveling in rural Mexico, a massive flood cut villagers off from access to medical care. He immediately went to work providing the emergency medical care people needed. He bandaged wounds, splinted broken bones, and even delivered a baby. This experience changed his thinking ...