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Social Finance Fund resources for SFIs

If you are a social finance intermediary (SFI) that received investment from a wholesaler of the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund (SFF), the following resources will help you report impact with the Common Impact Data Standard.

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What do SFIs need to know?

Common Approach is currently working with SFF recipients who received investments in 2024 and are now entering their second year of reporting. If you are not part of this cohort, your Data Standard reporting obligations will begin in your second year of reporting as well. In the meantime, you can explore the resources on this page to learn more about what to expect and how to prepare.

If you have questions or would like support, you can contact the SFF team at Common Approach for current resources and next steps.

Get in touch

Learnings from SFIs

Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with SFIs and heard firsthand what’s working, what’s not, and where things feel unclear regarding SFF impact measurement and the Common Impact Data Standard. Our key learnings were captured in “Reflections and readiness: evolving our approach for the Social Finance Fund”, which outlines how we’re shifting our strategy to better support SFIs.

Explore our key learnings

The resources below will walk you through what you need to know throughout the process, whether you have yet to sign with a wholesaler or need to prepare for data collection.

Impact data will be collected and shared using Common Approach’s Common Impact Data Standard. All Social Finance Fund participants (SFIs and social purpose organizations) will need to use the Data Standard to report their impact. Organizations “use” the Data Standard by using an aligned software or data utility for data collection and reporting. Alongside the Data Standard, the Common Framework will help SFIs and their wholesalers aggregate data from multiple investees without requiring the investees to use common indicators.

If you have questions, please get in touch!

The first things you need to know (even if you haven't signed with a wholesaler)

SFI who receive investment through the Social Finance Fund will need to understand what will be required of them and the SPOs they support in terms of impact data collection and reporting. If you have applied, are considering applying, or have already signed with a funder, these resources will get you started.

  • 📄 Understand SFI data collection requirements for the SFF

    Read “An introductory guide to Social Finance Fund impact data collection for social finance intermediaries,” which outlines the data collection strategy for the SFF, which aims to benefit both SFIs and the SPOs they support.

    📄 Read the document →

  • 📋 Review the SFI reporting checklist

    Use the “Common Impact Data Standard implementation checklist and reporting timeline for SFIs in the SFF” to help you effectively prepare for SFF 2025 year-end reporting. It provides clear timelines and a consolidated list of the essential resources, tools, and supports available to you—so you know exactly what to do, when to do it, and where to find what you need.

    📋 Access the checklist →

  • ▶️ Get practical steps towards adopting the Data Standard

    Watch “Adopting the Common Impact Data Standard: An SFF reporting guide,” an orientation to adopting the Common Impact Data Standard for the SFF year-end 2025 reporting cycle. It provides the practical steps SFIs can take toward adopting the Data Standard, preparing both SFIs and their investees for year-end reporting.

    ▶️ Watch the orientation →

  • 📝 Test if your data collection is aligned with SFF requirements

    Use the “SFF data collection worksheet for SFIs” to assess alignment with SFF reporting requirements. This encompasses tracking data collection throughout the investment cycle, identifying any gaps in data reporting, and ensuring SFIs are collecting the right fields at the right frequency.

    🗂 Download the worksheet →

  • 📊 Review how SFF data flows from SPOs to SFIs to wholesalers

    Review the flowchart “The data flow from SPOs to SFIs to Wholesalers in the SFF,” which illustrates how SFIs submit required data from their investees to wholesalers. The flowchart clarifies which data points are required for all SFF investees as part of annual reporting to ESDC, and where in the investment cycle this information is typically gathered, managed, and reported.

    📊 Review the flowchart →

  • 📄 Learn about IMM support for the SFF

    Read “Impact measurement and management (IMM) support for the Social Finance Fund,” which outlines the free IMM support and resources available to SPOs and SFIs participating in the SFF, including tools, guidance, and hands-on support to help meet SFF reporting requirements and enhance IMM practices.

    📄 Read the document →

  • 🗓️ Connect with Common Approach

    Once you have signed the agreement with your wholesaler, book a meeting with the Social Finance Fund team at Common Approach to get started.

    🗓️ Book a meeting →

Finding the right data reporting tool for emerging SFIs

SFIs will be required to use the Common Impact Data Standard. All you need to do to “use” the Data Standard is to use a tool that is aligned. The resources below will help emerging organizations— those starting from little to no existing data infrastructure—identify aligned tools that meet both SFF requirements and practical operational needs.

Aligning data reporting tools for established SFIs

If you are already using software or another data utility, these resources will help you align your existing tool(s) with the Common Impact Data Standard with minimal adjustments, so you can continue using what you have while meeting SFF requirements.

Benefits of the Common Impact Data Standard →

Working with the SPOs you support to collect and share data efficiently

It will be important to work closely with the SPOs you invest in, to ensure they understand the data collection and reporting requirements of the Social Finance Fund. Common Approach has tools to help you communicate these requirements.

Book a meeting with the SFF team →

Organizing your data for your own impact management

Additional background materials & resources