Transforming how public systems connect with and work for the people they serve.

Third Sector in the Media
Caroline Whistler in SSIR: When Evidence Isn’t Enough

In a newly published piece with Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), Caroline makes the argument that good evidence doesn't always mean good results and explores what it means to realize that evidence has been asked to do work it was never designed to do. In the piece, Caroline calls for all of us to do more policy, funding, and cultural work within our public systems to ensure good evidence leads to good results for all people.
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Third Sector News
Third Sector Launches Inaugural Government Transformation Agenda

Introducing the Government Transformation Agenda: an actionable roadmap for local and state leaders, philanthropic partners, and funders. Drawing on 15 years of expertise and collaboration with public sector change-makers, the Agenda provides field-tested insights to align practices, people, and perspectives, helping you build more responsive systems and strengthen democracy through greater accountability.
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Third Sector News
Systems That Serve: Discover Third Sector’s Impact

Discover the proven systems, methodologies, and expert recommendations that empower governments nationwide to deliver responsive services and achieve better outcomes for all. From embedding parent power in early childhood to redesigning juvenile justice and transforming behavioral health, discover how Third Sector is an essential partner in revolutionizing public systems and social services.
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Third Sector News
Third Sector Launches Partnership with Sobrato Philanthropies to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships That Advance Economic Mobility in California

Third Sector and Sobrato Philanthropies have partnered to strengthen public-private partnerships and advance economic mobility in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties, California. This year-long collaboration will foster community-led solutions for sustainable cross-sector coordination to support pathways to economic mobility.
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Third Sector News
An Age of Disruption is Here: Four Ways to Transform Public Systems

As our communities navigate constant change Third Sector is remaining steadfast in helping agencies see beyond the chaos. In his latest article, Tim Pennell, Managing Director, Strategy & Programs, breaks down our four core offerings to help governments and communities achieve measurable long-term transformation, sharing examples from Alabama to Oregon as we support agencies to unlock possibilities for their communities.
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Third Sector News
A Third Sector + SSIR Special: Realizing the Promise of a Truly Responsive Government

Deep misalignment exists between what the American people want from their government and what they believe they are getting from it. To address this problem and unlock the possibility that our government can be a true partner, truly responsive, and a more effective force for good in our lives, we must shift how entire government agencies do their work, and most importantly, what they understand their responsibility to the communities they serve to be.
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Throughout the United States, we collaborate deeply with communities to re-write how they partner with government to fund social services, re-aligning vast amounts of public resources to move the needle on social problems.

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Insights from Third Sector

Participatory Governance in Action: Lessons for Cultivating Strong Stakeholder Relationships with Parents and Families Participatory Governance in Action: Lessons for Cultivating Strong Stakeholder Relationships with Parents and Families

Shaunese Falkner
May 1, 2026

Learn how we facilitate shared input between agency staff and parents, thereby strengthening outcomes, building more responsive systems, and deepening trust with families.

Building Portable Pathways for Post-Secondary Opportunity Building Portable Pathways for Post-Secondary Opportunity

Dr. Joy Coates
March 31, 2026

At Third Sector, our post-secondary opportunity work keeps coming back to the same challenge: too many learners do what we ask of them and still run into unclear, disconnected pathways to opportunity

Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers: A National Imperative for Tomorrow’s Economy Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers: A National Imperative for Tomorrow’s Economy

Jess Praphath
January 6, 2026

Read the full series: Third Sector provided technical assistance in collaboration with the Families & Workers Fund (FWF) to their state cohort under its PCIC initiative, supporting four state agencies in the design and implementation of workforce strategies to improve job quality and create inclusive training and career pathways in the climate and infrastructure sectors.

More News and Insights

Transforming how public systems connect with and work for the people they serve.

Caroline Whistler in SSIR: When Evidence Isn’t Enough

Third Sector Launches Inaugural Government Transformation Agenda

Systems That Serve: Discover Third Sector’s Impact

Third Sector Launches Partnership with Sobrato Philanthropies to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships That Advance Economic Mobility in California

An Age of Disruption is Here: Four Ways to Transform Public Systems

A Third Sector + SSIR Special: Realizing the Promise of a Truly Responsive Government

Throughout the United States, we collaborate deeply with communities to re-write how they partner with government to fund social services, re-aligning vast amounts of public resources to move the needle on social problems.

Insights from Third Sector

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Transforming how public systems connect with and work for the people they serve.

Throughout the United States, we collaborate deeply with communities to re-write how they partner with government to fund social services, re-aligning vast amounts of public resources to move the needle on social problems.

Insights from Third Sector

Our Supporters

Connect With Us

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