As defined by the Collective Impact Forum and FSG in Guide to Evaluating Collective Impact, Collective impact (CI) occurs when a group of actors from different sectors commit to a common agenda for solving a complex social or environmental problem. More than a new way of collaborating, collective impact is a structured approach to problem solving that includes five core conditions:

• Common Agenda: All participants have a shared vision for change, including a common understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving it through agreed upon actions.
• Shared Measurement System: Collecting data and measuring results consistently across all participants ensures that efforts remain aligned and participants hold each other accountable.
• Continuous Communication: Consistent and open communication is needed across the many players to build trust, assure mutual objectives, and create common motivation.
• Backbone Function:  Creating and managing collective impact requires dedicated staff with specific skills to coordinate participating organizations and agencies.
• Mutually Reinforcing Activities: Participant activities must be differentiated while still being coordinated through a mutually reinforcing plan of action.