SPO reporting template
The reporting template is an Excel spreadsheet designed to help social purpose organizations (SPOs) get started with structured impact reporting as part of their participation in the Social Finance Fund (SFF). It was created for SPOs that do not currently have a dedicated impact data system and want a simple and free way to track and share the data required by the SFF with their investor or funder.
The flow of data in the SFF
Here’s how reporting works:
- SPOs complete this template and use the impact data converter to generate an impact data capsule —a structured file formatted according to the Common Impact Data Standard. They then send this capsule to their investor(s) or funder(s).
- Their investor(s) or funder(s) —also known as Social Finance Intermediaries (SFIs)— compile multiple SPO impact data capsules into one single file and send it to their wholesaler(s) (fund of fund managers).
- Wholesalers compile multiple SFI impact data capsules—each containing SPO data— into one and submit it to the Government of Canada.
This cascading system helps reduce the reporting burden on SPOs by giving SPOs only one report to create, rather than three (one for their SFI, one for the wholesalers, and one for the Government of Canada).
What the template is
The template is a ready-to-use Excel spreadsheet aligned with the Common Impact Data Standard. This means that the template uses a shared set of definitions and structures. This alignment allows the data you enter to “speak the same language” as other systems that are also aligned to the Data Standard.
This spreadsheet is exportable as an impact data capsule, a practical feature that makes your data portable. When you export, the template generates a machine-readable file that can be imported by any other tool aligned with the Common Impact Data Standard.
🔍 On this page:
What the template is
What the template is not
How to use the template
Data confidentiality and consent
About this template
The template contains tabs for users to input the following data:
Organization profile
Basic information about your organization (e.g. name, contact info, sector, population served, etc.).
This tab is to be updated only when your contact or basic information changes.
Social-Equity Lens Investment assessment (SELI)
A self-assessment tool that asks about how your organization contributes to social and gender equity.
This tab is to be updated every 4 years.
Demographic data on your management team and board
High-level demographic information for board members and senior leaders.
This tab is to be updated every 4 years.
Your impact framework
A structured way to describe the changes your organization is working toward (outcomes) and how you measure them (indicators).
This information is to be updated whenever you refine or update your measurement framework.
Indicator report
The space to enter your actual results for the indicators you are tracking.
This tab is to be updated annually with your latest results.
Investor-specific reporting requests
The spreadsheet includes a few tabs that can be customized by your investor(s) or funder(s) based on their additional custom indicators or narrative prompts.
Consult your investor(s) or funder(s) to assess if you are required to update this tab.
Some other key things to note when using the reporting template:
- Each tab includes basic instructions for your reference.
- Only input data into the grey cells — all other cells are protected and should not be edited.
- You may add your own tabs for internal use. However, only the structured tabs will be exported.
- Although this template was developed for the SFF, it can also be used by SPOs reporting to other investors who align with the Common Impact Data Standard.
What the template is not
Is is not a fully customizable system
To ensure technical compatibility, the fields and structure must remain unchanged.
Is is not a replacement for existing systems
If you already have an impact tracking system, we do not recommend using the template.
Instead, reach out to us — the Common Approach team can help you align your existing system with the Common Impact Data Standard. Contact us at socialfinancefund@commonapproach.org.
Is is not an educational tool
How to use the template
If you don't have a dedicated impact data system
You can use the full template to track all the data fields above in one place.
If you already have a dedicated impact data system
You don’t need to duplicate your work. You can use the template selectively for the pieces that are required by the SFF but may not be captured in your own system. For example, you could fill out and send only the SELI Assessment tab to your SFI(s) while continuing to report other data from your system.
Converting between Excel and an impact data capsule
The impact data converter, created by Common Approach, can be used in two ways:
- To convert an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx file) into an impact data capsule (JSON-LD file)
Simply upload your filled out reporting template to the converter, and it will create an impact data capsule for you to download and send to your SFI. - To convert an impact data capsule (JSON-LD file) into an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx file)
This is useful if your SFI already has some of your historical data that you would like to access in a spreadsheet format. In this case, your SFI can send you an impact data capsule, which you can upload to the converter to receive a filled-in and downloadable reporting template.
Data confidentiality and consent
The SPO template privacy policy can be accessed here.
About this template
This template was developed by Common Approach to Impact Measurement, in collaboration with the Government of Canada’s ESDC and SFF wholesalers (Boann Social Impact, Cap Finance, and Realize Capital Partners).
✉️ Questions about the template or the impact data converter? Contact Common Approach at socialfinancefund@commonapproach.org.
✉️ Questions about privacy or data use? Contact ESDC at social_innovation_sociale@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
🌐 For more information about the Social Finance Fund, visit https://socialfinance.fund.
