This toolkit includes a number of tools for establishing the infrastructure of a Collective Impact backbone. This toolkit includes a list of sample backbone activities, a working group meeting planning and execution checklist, a sample request for proposals for a backbone organization, and sample backbone position descriptions. The tools have been generalized to be applicable across contexts; however, because no two collective impact efforts are the same, these resources should be considered a starting place to be tailored to the unique circumstances of each initiative.
Tools for Backbones
What Is a Backbone?
The Backbone Organization in a Collective Impact effort both helps maintain overall strategic coherence and coordinates and manages the day-to-day operations and implementation of work, including stakeholder engagement, communications, data collection and analysis, and other responsibilities.
How to Use This Toolkit
The following resources are intended to serve as tools for establishing the infrastructure of a Collective Impact Backbone. Their development was informed by FSG’s experience working with a variety of organizations. The tools have been generalized to be applicable across contexts; however, because no two collective impact efforts are the same, these resources should be considered a starting place to be tailored to the unique circumstances of each initiative.
