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 will 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 believe the Common Approach standards will allow social purpose organizations to collect and use more flexible, relevant data that can still be aggregated at a portfolio level.
The Common Approach needs users to pilot test its standards so that we can see how the adoption of all four Common Approach Standards alters the process and outcomes of impact measurement for an individual social purpose organization (SPO) and within their impact measurement network.
The understanding that we gain 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 practice globally.
The Common Approach will pay up to $400,000 over a three-year period, for each network selected. These funds will go towards the costs associated with implementing all four Common Approach standards for impact measurement in a network of 5 to 20 social purpose organizations.
In return, we’re asking for a lot. We are seeking anchor organizations to lead the implementations within their networks and to provide at least a 20% in-kind contribution to the project for its duration. At least three networks will be selected for implementation.
With funding from:
