Designing for sustainability: A case in corporate philanthropy and evaluative thinking

Given the climate crisis, all sectors must make choices that serve people and planet well into the future. The establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 shifted the global debates on these issues particularly recognizing that sustainability as a critical lens must be applied not only by public and not-for-profit sectors, but also by philanthropy and private sector. The concept, however; remains obscure and misinterpreted by many, particularly when looking across different sectors – making it challenging to evaluate, compare, and contrast different policies, interventions and programs, and their impact. This article draws on examples of the use of various evaluative tools in the philanthropic and private sectors and showcases how sustainability challenges and potential solutions can been critically analyzed, improved, and set up for the best possible outcomes.