Social Impact

While economies around the world are recovering, many charities and social enterprises are only beginning to feel the bite of government cuts and increased demand for social services. Bain’s consulting services help economic and community and international social development initiatives, educational organizations, environmental groups, and foundations and venture philanthropy funds achieve results that endure through economic turbulence and beyond.

What we do
Our people contribute their ingenuity to help non-government organizations, foundations and community groups prosper globally and strengthen our communities. We agree with the client on objectives and scope, draw from the Bain toolkit, and tailor our approach to meet our client's needs. We also make extensive investments in pro bono consulting, working with the world’s leading organizations to tackle the toughest social issues. We also engage as volunteers, serve on nonprofit boards and sponsor fund-raising drives. Read more about social impact at Bain.

In January 2000, the Bain partner group and a number of US foundations funded the creation of The Bridgespan Group, an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to applying leading-edge management strategies, tools and talent to help other nonprofits and foundations achieve greater social impact. The Bridgespan Group currently serves US and global clients out of its Boston, New York and San Francisco offices and continues to be an important partner with Bain on our efforts to drive social impact.
Our perspective
The global nonprofit sector is facing a double blow–rising demand for services amid increasingly constrained resources. On the demand side, surging populations have led to widespread food and water shortages, chronic lack of education and crushing poverty. Wars and violence continue to rage, while social exclusion and abuse undermine both developed and developing societies. Experts agree that climate change and environmental degradation must be tackled on a global scale. Just as needs are escalating, however, raising money and other resources has never been more difficult. Individual and corporate giving have stayed reasonably robust through the economic downturn, but with government budgets over-stretched, a key source of funding for nonprofits will be constrained for some time to come.

Yet this challenging outlook does have a silver lining. New forms of philanthropy are developing. Mega-foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation and the Jet Li One Foundation are bringing not just funds but a more strategic and results-oriented approach to social engagement. Smaller venture philanthropy funds are applying venture capital and private equity disciplines to social "investments" in nonprofits. Social enterprise is combining the power of for-profit motives with social aims.