Since its founding in 2006, the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) has been committed to the core mission of research in philanthropy and civil society. To better inform policy, social innovation, philanthropic investment, and nonprofit practice, PACS has invited experts, scholars, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and government entities from around the world to participate in research on various issues within the field of philanthropy and social innovation.
ICSO is an international frontline charitable organization with three affiliate branches globally, more than 7,000 volunteers, over 200 philanthropic projects, and extensive innovative experience in this field. In 2022, ICSO began participating in several research projects at Stanford PACS, providing first-hand data and valuable opportunities for multiple studies. ICSO’s work in commercialization, sustainability, and social innovation has also undergone in-depth exploration, generating many research outcomes.
01. Project Overview
The Stanford PACS Joint Project is a collaborative initiative between the Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and ICSO (International Commonweal Support Organization). The two parties will engage in joint discussion, research, and output centered on key issues in social innovation. Stanford PACS will offer strong academic support, high-quality solutions, and analytical reports, while ICSO will be responsible for data collection, material organization, multilingual services, and the promotion and publication of the findings.
02. Project Partners
Stanford PACS is a research center that provides a space for students, scholars, and practitioners to explore and share ideas that drive social change. Its primary participants include Stanford faculty, visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, philanthropists, as well as nonprofit and foundation professionals.
As the publisher of the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), PACS serves as a knowledge hub for policy, social innovation, philanthropic investment, and nonprofit practice. SSIR provides a shared space where academics and practitioners publish interdisciplinary and cross-sector research and ideas aimed at advancing social change. The journal is accompanied by a website, blog, conferences, webinars, and podcasts.
Stanford PACS is part of the Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences. It is hosted by the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences but aspires to be a university-wide hub with interdisciplinary networks and collaborations. Its faculty co-directors hold appointments in the Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Business, Law School, and School of Engineering. Over the years, PACS has attracted postdoctoral and doctoral researchers from sociology, political science, philosophy, psychology, and engineering. PACS also maintains close ties with institutional funders, philanthropists, nonprofits in Silicon Valley, the business and investor community, and government agencies.
03. Project Significance
The collaboration between ICSO and PACS is built on the foundation of complementary strengths, leveraging ICSO’s years of first-hand data collection in the fields of philanthropy and social innovation. Together, ICSO and PACS will work to optimize project models, financing channels, and new social innovation initiatives. Additionally, we will collaborate with partner organizations to share data and build a comprehensive international public service data platform, contributing to the advancement of global public services.
Conclusion
In the Stanford PACS Joint Project, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. Through close cooperation with ICSO, we aim to jointly explore the frontiers of social innovation and create new possibilities for global social transformation. This project is not merely an academic collaboration—it is a bold adventure that transcends borders and connects resources across sectors. Let us move forward together and strive to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable society.
