Bringing Behavioral Design to NYC Nonprofits

Giving Compass' Take:

•  The NYC Behavioral Design Center (BDC) provides nonprofit organizations with solutions to common problems they may face utilizing a behavioral lens. 

• The BDC offers workshops to help organizations in ways such as apply behavioral science to their research and identify behavioral issues and find solutions. 

• Read about lessons in how to apply behavioral design to programs. 

We’ve spent more than a decade applying behavioral science to complex social problems, all in the service of improving the lives of millions of people. Part of our mission is to dramatically expand the use of behavioral science as a problem-solving tool, and that’s why we’ve recently broadened our efforts to bring this approach to more problem solvers.

Earlier this year, we launched the NYC Behavioral Design Center (BDC) to bring behavioral solutions to the myriad NYC non-profit organizations working to advance the well-being of countless residents in the nation’s largest city.

Applying a behavioral lens to many of the common problems these organizations face—such as low enrollment in programs or drop-off in client participation—can help more New Yorkers access and benefit from valuable programs and services.

First, we hold free workshops approximately once a month. Topics range from unpacking how living in poverty affects decision-making to applying a behavioral lens to program communications.

BDC workshops have a strong focus on applying behavioral science insights and research findings to the practical challenges participants encounter in their day-to-day work. The BDC also works directly with organizations to design solutions to problems they encounter in their ongoing programs. We recently selected the first group of five non-profit partners with whom we will work to identify behavioral barriers within their programs and design solutions that facilitate productive use of services, by increasing participant engagement, persistence, and follow-through.

By offering support through multiple channels including in-depth workshops, customized project assistance, and quick-touch office hour consultations, we aim to reduce the barriers (and hassles) to tapping the power of behavioral science to improve individual lives and strengthen communities. Stay tuned to hear about upcoming workshops and results from our first project partnerships.