Meet the next network participating in the Pathfinder Pilot!
In 2022, Common Approach began looking for networks of social purpose organizations (SPOs) to participate in its next pilot program, the Pathfinder Pilot. 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. Our work with this additional network is funded by the McConnell Foundation.

The goal of the Pathfinder Pilot is to see how the adoption of all four Common Approach Standards alters the process and outcomes of impact measurement for these SPOs, both individually and within their impact measurement network.
We are excited to announce that the Community Lending Network, convened by Alterna Savings, is the second network joining the pilot. The network consists of community loan fund partners who share an aligned goal of providing access to capital for underserved communities.
Through Alterna’s programming, the network brings communities access to credit, capital, financial resources, and support to entrepreneurs and individuals in the form of financial education, ongoing coaching, business planning, networking opportunities, and more. Some of the network partners facilitate access to financial services; others provide skills development, economic support, and support programs. Collectively, this network promotes self-sufficiency and empowerment to ensure business owners and individuals interested in entrepreneurial activities are supported.
The Community Lending Network joins the Network for Optimizing Food Impact in the Pathfinder Pilot. We expect to be announcing the third participating network shortly!
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Members of the next Pathfinder Pilot network
The Pathfinder Pilot provides an opportunity to strengthen how we use impact data amongst our networks. We believe this will lead to more effective partnerships and collaborations, and support our work towards the collective goals of improved financial access, training and development and other wrap-around supports for underserved entrepreneurs.
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Research brief: Useful and non-burdensome impact measurement
A summary of key findings from “Impact measurement among social purpose organizations: which practices are associated with useful, non-burdensome impact measurement.” The paper analyzes Common Approach participant data to determine a clear, concise set of practices that empower SPOs to measure effectively without feeling overwhelmed.
Reflections from working with the Newfoundland Labrador Social Enterprise Network
The Newfoundland Labrador Social Enterprise Network are now in their second year as members of the Pathfinder Pilot. We reflect on our work with the Network and the key takeaways for the Pathfinder Pilot going forward.



