Living in Alaska these past twenty-six years, I discovered it’s a good laboratory for social innovation. While Alaska covers a large area — 20 percent the size of the rest of the country — it’s possible to convene the right people to address many of its problems. Through these connections, as well as building its capacity and leadership, the nonprofit sector can create solutions for today’s complex challenges.

This blog explores how individuals and organizations plug-in to the communities they care about in order to spur others to action; especially in underserved rural communities where over half of Alaska’s population lives.

This topic prompts an immediate question, “Who should take the lead?” The answer inspires the idiom, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

While many foundations have tightened their focus to one or a few specific outcomes — like the Gates Foundation’s focus on health — now is the time for increased, pro-active leadership by grantmakers to lead for specific impacts and inspire others to join.

Read the full article about how change can start anywhere by Dennis McMillian at The Johnson Center.