LSA’s Work in Spreading What Works
Growth Ready: A Center for Enterprise is LSA's platform for spreading what works - for taking to greater scale across the LSA system programs and models that are effective and sustainable. The goal of taking things to greater scale is not simply to increase the number of good programs but to spread their positive social impact.
This work strengthens LSA in one of its core roles – as a catalyst for the exchange and building of knowledge and capacity within the system. LSA reaches out to member organizations, as well as to the external world, to identify good programs that are ready to grow and that meet a market demand. At any given time, LSA has a number of programs in the Growth Ready “pipeline,” where they are vetted for effectiveness, sustainability, adaptability and replicability.
Hallmarks of the programs and models that LSA seeks to grow include:
- Programs with sustainable operational models and self sufficient financial models.
- Programs appropriate for national brand development to build broad support for LSA and its members across service lines.
- Programs that help realize the vision of LSA’s Ends Policies: member organizations that are healthy and vital; that embrace a spirit of possibilities and a will to shape the future; that, in partnership with others, lead a movement of hope and grace, that live out their Lutheran identity, and that, collectively, comprise a system that has integrated, results-driven capacity.
The work of Growth Ready is exciting and ambitious. By working together to identify, develop, evaluate, and spread successful programs that meet market demand and solve significant social problems, LSA and its member organizations weave together a stronger national community of providers that have greater capacity to impact more lives. LSA cannot do this work alone. To that end, LSA is an active member of the Social Impact Exchange, a cross-sector membership forum created by the Growth Philanthropy Network for sharing knowledge and increasing investment in spreading effective social programs and solutions.
Several programs have emerged from the Growth Ready pipeline to date and are available for adoption by LSA member organizations. Some can be adopted at no cost; others require the purchase of a license through LSA or a partner entity.
To learn more about Growth Ready or any of its programs, contact Cynthia Osborne, Strategic Initiatives Consultant at 410-230-3546.
*LSA gratefully acknowledges the Lutheran Services for the Elderly Endowment at the ELCA for its financial support in the initial development phase of Growth Ready: A Center for Enterprise. LSA also akcnowledges the support provided by Criterion Ventures, a New York consulting firm with an impressive track record in incubating and scaling new mission-driven ventures, in helping LSA build its capacity in scaling.
Programs of Growth Ready: A Center for Enterprise:
Caregiver Suite
The first program to emerge from Growth Ready is Caregiver Suite, a portfolio of Lutheran branded models, products and programs for strenthening caregiver support resources in America's communities. Desigend to be easily adopted by LSA member organizations and congregations, Caregiver Suite products share a common goal of extending resources and support for informal caregivers - those individuals caring for parents, adult children or others who are aging. Links to more information about the first two Caregiver Suite programs are below.
