Mechanisms of Social Change in Non-Profit Organisations: From Outputs to Systemic Impact

This article examines how non-profit organisations translate their activities into systemic social change. Moving beyond binary assessments of success or failure, it explores the mechanisms through which NGOs convert inputs and outputs into enduring societal transformation. Drawing on organisational sociology, evaluation theory, and social movement research, the paper identifies multiple channels of influence—service delivery, advocacy, coalition-building, and framing—that interact across political and institutional contexts. It proposes a layered framework distinguishing outputs, outcomes, and systemic impacts, thereby advancing both scholarly debates and practical strategies for enhancing NGO effectiveness. The analysis situates NGOs as hybrid actors navigating complex relationships with states, donors, and communities, and offers a mechanism-based approach for understanding how they contribute to governance and development in dynamic environments.