This September, we recommend reading ''The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism'' by Bruce Katz and Jeremy Nowak, a valuable exploration for social entrepreneurs, community leaders, policymakers, and mission-driven organizations seeking to understand the strategic power of local action. Katz and Nowak examine how cities and metropolitan communities are increasingly becoming centers of innovation, problem-solving, and economic development as traditional institutions struggle to address complex social and economic challenges. Drawing on examples from cities including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Copenhagen, the authors explore how networks of public, private, and civic leaders can work together to mobilize local knowledge, resources, and investment. The book challenges the assumption that effective solutions must be centralized or designed for universal application, instead emphasizing collaboration, decentralized leadership, local capacity, and place-based innovation. For social entrepreneurs and organizations seeking to create meaningful and sustainable community impact, The New Localism provides a thoughtful framework for understanding how local ecosystems can become powerful engines of change. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to rethink what it means to scale social impact, recognizing that the strongest solutions may be those that are rooted in local realities while creating knowledge and approaches that can be adapted across communities.
This August, we recommend reading ''Financing Nonprofits and Other Social Enterprises: A Benefits Approach'' by Dennis R. Young, a valuable guide for social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and mission-driven organizations seeking to build stronger and more sustainable financial foundations. Drawing on benefits theory, Young explores how organizations can think strategically about different sources of income, including earned revenue, charitable giving, government support, investment income, and diversified funding strategies. The book challenges leaders to consider how their mission, the benefits they create, and the communities they serve can inform their approach to financing. Through practical examples and analytical tools, Young offers insights into developing balanced revenue portfolios while reducing vulnerability to dependence on any single funding source. For social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders navigating funding fatigue, donor dependence, and growing pressure for financial sustainability, Financing Nonprofits and Other Social Enterprises provides a thoughtful framework for rethinking the relationship between mission, money, and long-term organizational resilience. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to view financing not simply as a means of supporting operations, but as a strategic element of building organizations capable of sustaining and expanding their social impact.
This July, we recommend reading ''Doing Good Better'' by William MacAskill, a thought-provoking guide for social entrepreneurs, changemakers, and mission-driven leaders who want to maximize the positive impact of their work. The book introduces the principles of effective altruism, challenging readers to think critically about how we can use our resources, careers, and actions to make the greatest possible difference in the world. MacAskill combines philosophical insights with compelling evidence and real-world examples to explore how good intentions can be translated into measurable and meaningful outcomes. Rather than simply asking whether an initiative does good, the book encourages us to consider how much good it does, who benefits, and whether our efforts could achieve greater impact elsewhere. For social entrepreneurs, this perspective offers a valuable framework for evaluating social ventures, allocating resources strategically, measuring outcomes, and making evidence-based decisions. Doing Good Better ultimately invites us to move beyond good intentions towards thoughtful, effective action making it an essential read for anyone committed to creating lasting and measurable social change.
This June, we recommend reading ''Design Justice'' by Sasha Costanza-Chock, a compelling guide for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven leaders who want to understand how dignity, equity, and inclusion can be embedded at the center of design and innovation. The book challenges traditional, expert-driven approaches to design, showing how many systems and products unintentionally reinforce inequality when they exclude the voices and lived experiences of marginalized communities. Drawing on powerful frameworks and real-world case studies, Costanza-Chock illustrates how shifting from top-down models to participatory, community-led design can lead to more just, resilient, and effective outcomes. The book emphasizes that those most impacted by design decisions should not be treated as passive users, but as active co-creators who shape solutions from the ground up. Packed with critical insights and practical approaches, ''Design Justice'' offers a timely and necessary perspective on how rethinking power in design can transform products, services, and systems, making it an essential read for anyone committed to building more inclusive, sustainable, and dignified impact.
This May, we recommend reading ''New Power'' by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms, a compelling guide for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven leaders who want to understand how collective action is transforming the way change happens. The book challenges traditional, top-down models of leadership, showing how today’s impact is increasingly driven by participation, collaboration, and the ability to mobilize communities. Drawing on real-world examples, the authors reveal how many influential initiatives succeed not through centralized control, but by empowering people to actively shape outcomes. Packed with practical insights, ''New Power'' offers a fresh perspective on leadership and impact, making it an essential read for anyone committed to building sustainable change through shared power and community engagement.
This April, we recommend reading “Originals” by Adam Grant. A compelling guide for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven leaders who want to turn unconventional ideas into meaningful, lasting impact. This insightful book challenges the pressure to conform and highlights how originality often grows from doubt, iteration, and the courage to question the status quo. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Grant reveals how many breakthrough ideas were once overlooked or nearly abandoned, and how fear of failure can quietly limit innovation. Packed with practical strategies, “Originals” shows how to cultivate environments where bold thinking can thrive, manage risk more intentionally, and lead with creativity and conviction making it an essential read for anyone committed to driving impact through fresh ideas and thoughtful disruption.
This March, we recommend reading ''The Resilient Leader: How to Beat Being Overwhelmed and Burnout for Sustainable Leadership'' by Dr. Amanda Nickson. A powerful guide for mission-driven leaders who want to create lasting impact without sacrificing their well-being. This timely book challenges grind culture and offers practical, research-backed strategies to prevent burnout, set healthy boundaries, and lead with clarity and endurance. If you’re ready to build resilience while helping your team and mission thrive, this is a must-read.
In February, we recommend ''The Fearless Organization'' by Amy C. Edmondson. This inspiring read explores psychological safety, the concept that teams can speak up, share ideas, and challenge assumptions without fear. The book shows how trust, transparency, and accountability within organizations strengthen credibility and foster innovation, offering practical strategies for social entrepreneurs to create cultures where ideas thrive and impact grows.
Kick off 2026 with fresh perspectives by reading “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton M. Christensen. This classic guide explores how even successful organizations can be disrupted if they cling to old models, and offers powerful insights on embracing innovation, questioning assumptions, and seizing new opportunities. Join our book club this January and discover how to rethink strategies, drive bold change, and position your social enterprise for lasting impact in an ever-evolving world.
