What is social impact? How does social impact further the work of NGOs/organizations seeking to do good? What is the benefit in terms of corporate reputation? How is it measured? What are the most appropriate ways to communicate about social impact? This course provides an overview of social impact from the perspectives of both the corporate world and NGOs/organizations that are enabled by corporate social impact engagement. Through publications, case studies, interviews with those involved in social impact activities and team projects, we will assess the influence – positive and negative – social impact can have on the reputation of a corporation. Students will come away with a clear understanding of what social impact is and what it is not, how it can be measured in terms of reputation, and the criticality of appropriate communications related to social impact activities.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the concept of social impact.
• Discuss what social impact looks like from the corporate perspective and from the perspective of the NGOs/organizations that are enabled by corporate social impact engagement.
• Assess how social impact can impact the reputation of a corporation - positively and negatively.
• Assess how social impact activities can be measured in terms of noticeable changes to corporate reputation.
• Apply practical skills as they relate to communicating about social impact - particularly from the perspective of a large, multi-national corporation.