Harnessing Social Innovation: A Conceptual Model for Achieving Sustainable Development through Non-profit Leadership

Abstract Sustainable development requires not only clear and measurable goals but also adaptive processes capable of responding to evolving societal challenges. This article proposes a conceptual model that integrates goal-based and process-based perspectives by institutionalizing the social innovation process within non-profit organizations. The model illustrates how enhancing absorptive capacity and embedding iterative learning mechanisms enable non-profit organizations to design, implement, scale, and adapt interventions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Using Causal Loop Diagramming Analysis, the study highlights the dynamic feedback structures that support systemic change. The model offers a novel strategic lens for understanding how nonprofit-driven social innovation can contribute to sustainable development and provides a foundation for future empirical research. It also has significant theoretical, practical, and regulatory implications.