Applying Social Innovation to Improve the Effectiveness of Charities (Case Study: Salam Bar Arezoo Charity)

Researches show that despite the numerous facilities and the increase of charitable donations in recent years, the number of poor people and their needs is increasing. On the one hand, the inefficiencies of charities and the failure to achieve predefined goals, as well as the concerns of charities for the government, have led to this study. The aim of the research is to increase the effectiveness of charities through the use of social innovation. Due to that, after reviewing the background of the studies, a research was conducted on the charity of Salam Social Innovation Center. According to the qualitative research, action research methodology and snowball sampling were used. After identifying the problem, the systems thinking (a four-stage model of systems thinking for social change) applied to collect data and provide a solution. For this purpose, interviews with stakeholders and relevant people were conducted. Then the selected solutions were developed and implemented on a large scale. Finally, by evaluating the project process, results and achievements were presented. The results indicated that some basic decisions and actions were needed to solve the problem fundamentally. The suggestions made in this case fall into two categories: quick-fixes and fundamental solutions. Quick fixes include crowd-collaboration and crowdfunding؛ fundamental solutions include improving in the economic situation, micro-lending, frugal innovation, and inclusive innovation.