Join the ICF Foundation Ignite Initiative
2021 marks the fourth year of impact created by the ICF Foundation’s Ignite Initiative. Ignite: Engaging Coaching for Humanity and the Planet is an ICF Foundation initiative driven by ICF Chapters around the world, delivering pro bono coaching in their local communities.
This initiative was inspired when the ICF Foundation’s Board of Trustees imagined what could be if every ICF-credentialed coach focused their coaching on creating social impact. What would happen if they instinctively understood the ripple effect and positive impact that coaching has on the world? Because doing so could be the spark of light to ignite humanity! As part of the ICF Foundation’s strategic goal to advance social impact through coaching, we aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations. At first focusing on Goal 4 (Education), Ignite has now expanded into all 17 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
To date, Ignite has partnered 80 educational organizations with 48 ICF Chapters that provide pro bono coaching to leaders of these organizations. The ICF Foundation works with chapters to survey to all Ignite clients following the completion of their coaching engagement, serving as a measuring stick for the continuous improvement of both the Ignite Initiative and the organization’s social impact. These surveys are designed to help us learn about the impact of coaching, understand where the program makes a difference and to narrow the scope of the impact.
In social system change organizations, operations are often very lean. To date, more than $430,000 USD worth of coaching has been provided these organizations. This equates to more than 1,850 hours of professional coaching provided to support organizations and their social impact missions around the world.
Are you interested in joining us in making a social impact? Here are a few ideas on how to get started:
1. Create an initiative as an individual or with a team of coaches
As you create your project, make sure to include other ICF-credentialed coaches. This can range from a network of coach colleagues to a chapter initiative. As John Heywood said, “Many hands make light work.” Inspire, recruit and engage volunteer leadership.
No project is too small! If you have a nonprofit you are passionate about, consider coaching their leaders as a part of the Ignite Initiative.
2. Utilize the Ignite Resource Suite of Tools.
The ICF Foundation has worked hard to create materials that ease the workload for our initiatives so that you can do what you do best—coach! The Ignite Resource Suite of Tools provide templates, best practices and project materials. You can also connect to the Ignite Basecamp site, which is a fantastic source of peers who are also creating initiatives in their local communities. Our Council of Ambassadors is also available to assist you as you create an initiative! You can even reference the organizations that have participated in the past.
3. Measure
In the beginning and throughout the project, be sure to communicate the importance of measuring the initiative’s success with the organizations and individuals involved. As you are speaking with the organization, coaches and clients, talk about the impact potential. When surveyed, Ignite participants said the ripple effect of their gains from coaching positively impacted operational efficiency by 76% and employee engagement by 70% for their organizations.
Are you ready to make a difference, to explore new horizons with Ignite in your community? Together we will engage through the power of coaching to meet local and global challenges!
4. Share your Ignite Story
We want to hear about the impact made with Social Impact Leaders. Connect with us at information@foundationoficf.org to tell us the impact and difference your Ignite Initiative made with in your community.
ICF Foundation
Established in 2004, the ICF Foundation (one of the International Coaching Federation’s six family organizations) connects and equips professional coaches and organizations to accelerate and amplify impact on social progress through coaching. The ICF Foundation's programs include our Social Impact Pilot Project, ICF Coaches for Good and Ignite: Engaging Humanity Through Education is part of the ICF Foundation’s long-term strategy to advance social progress through coaching by aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations. To learn more or to get involved with Ignite, please contact the Foundation’s staff at information@foundationoficf.org
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