Common Approach to Impact Measurement
Developing standards for flexible, shareable impact measurement.
We envision a future where impact measurement centres the needs of social purpose organizations—nonprofits, charities and social businesses—to improve impact data for everyone, including those that fund and invest in these organizations.
By using technology to allow data to be shared more easily and fully, it will become possible for everyone to get what they need from impact measurement. At the same time, the overall quality of the data being collected will improve and the burden of collecting it will be reduced.
So what do social purpose organizations (SPOs) need to do?
- Not sure if your organization has a handle on basic impact measurement practice? The Common Foundations outlines a minimum standard for the “how” of impact measurement. Use our self-assessment tool to either confirm your impact measurement practice meets the minimum or help identify where you could improve.
- Tell your funders or investors you’d like them to use the Common Approach Standards to make impact reporting easier for you. You can direct them to this page to learn more.
- Common Approach is community-driven, guided by community-based governance groups. Interested in learning more about how you could participate? Get in touch or take a look at our opportunities page to see if there are any open roles currently.
- Eventually, we hope you’ll consider adopting the Common Approach standards if your organization is part of a network or collaborative group that shares impact data, or is planning to. We are not ready to support more networks just yet! But in the meantime, you can learn more about what adopting means here.
Funders & Investors
Complement your existing impact measurement in ways your investees will appreciate
Software Developers Common Approach standards can be integrated into new and existing tech tools 
Trainers & Consultants
Use our resources resources for evaluators, trainers and others who support and guide impact measurement practices
Our standards
The Common Approach standards complement other impact measurement tools, methods and standards you may be familiar with. Use Common Approach and your other preferred tools, methods, and standards.
Common Foundations
A minimum standard for the “how” of impact measurement. Five essential practices for useful, non-burdensome measurement.
Common Impact Data Standard
An ontology for organizing and sharing impact data. Software developers use the ontology; SPOs and investors use the software.
Common Form
A standard to contextualize the data collected for impact measurement. Like the Common Impact Data Standard but for descriptive data about your organization.
Common Framework
A standard for aggregating a mishmash of indicators. A flexible framework that groups together similar metrics for portfolio-level analysis.
The Common Blog
Resources, information, and updates about impact measurement
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Common Approach hosted online webinars, workshops and other events.
Document Library
Standards are communities, not documents. But documents are important just the same!
Common Approach to Impact Measurement is grateful to have received funding from
