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In 2022, Common Approach launched its next pilot program, the Pathfinder Pilot. The goal of the Pathfinder Pilot is to see how adopting all four Common Approach Standards alters the process and outcomes of impact measurement for social purpose organizations (SPOs), both individually and within a network of related organizations.
Impact measurement by social purpose organizations can often be time-consuming, bureaucratic, and focused more on reporting and accountability than the information needs of the organization or those most affected by the mission or impact goal.
Through the Pathfinder Pilot, participants are measure impact using the Common Approach’s four standards. We believe this will result in impact measurement that is more effective and more relevant to participating organizations and those they serve. We are testing if the Common Approach standards truly do allow social purpose organizations to collect and use more flexible, relevant data that can still be aggregated at a portfolio level.
The understanding we are gaining from this Pilot with Canadian organizations will help us further develop the standards into flexible, community-driven best practices and encourage the adoption of better impact measurement practices globally.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Social Enterprise and Innovation Coalition, convened by the Centre for Social Enterprise (Memorial University), was formed to promote the development of a well-articulated and robust social finance ecosystem in Newfoundland and Labrador. Members participating in the Pathfinder Pilot are:
The Community Lending Network, convened by Alterna Savings, comprises community loan fund partners who share a common goal of providing access to capital for underserved communities. Members participating in the Pathfinder Pilot are:
The Network for Optimizing Food Impact, co-convened by 10C Shared Space and Colleaga, comprises SPOs that bring more food to communities in need and strengthen local food systems through community-driven innovation. Members participating in the Pathfinder Pilot are:
The Pathfinder Pilot is housed at Social Innovation Canada and is funded by the Government of Canada’s Investment Readiness Program, the Northpine Foundation, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, with additional funding from the McConnell Foundation.
