Research
There is No Such Thing As A Fish - Portfolio Guide
This paper helps changemakers understand different types of portfolios they can use for social change work. It explains how different portfolio approaches have different purposes, ways of working, and evaluation methods. The paper teaches practitioners to be clear about what kind of portfolio they are building because each type supports different ways to create change. Written by Mark Cabaj from Tamarack Institute, this resource helps people working on systems change be more intentional in their approach.
April 5, 2026
5Key Takeaways
“Every family has something to teach and something to learn.”— The Change Lab
Key Takeaways
51
Different portfolio types serve different purposes in social change
2
Portfolio approaches are not interchangeable
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Each portfolio type needs different management practices
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Practitioners must be explicit about their portfolio design
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Different portfolios create different pathways for transformation
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