• Paper / Report

Demystifying the Black Box of OBF in India

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 March 2025
This report summarises insights, recommendations and action‑points from a roundtable on Outcome‑Based Financing (OBF) in India. It captures diverse stakeholder perspectives on nonprofits’ perceptions, support needs, challenges and potential strategies to make OBF transparent, accessible and effective for social organisations. It aims to illuminate hidden barriers (“black box”) in OBF adoption and chart practical steps forward.
  • Paper / Report

Funders’ Perspectives on Data Maturity of Social Purpose Organisations in India

  • Source : ISDM
  • 27 November 2025
Funders’ Perspectives on Data Maturity of Social Purpose Organisations in India is an addendum to the State of the Sector Report published by ISDM CDSSI. It explores how funders view data-driven decision-making in India’s social sector. The insights in this report come from a roundtable discussion, that was held with 19 representatives, from CSRs, family foundations, philanthropic investors, outcome-based funders, and thought leaders. It shows that data maturity is a sector-wide challenge that requires collaboration, trust, and alignment between funders, SPOs, governments, and communities.
  • Paper / Report

STATE OF THE SECTOR REPORT: Outcomes Readiness among Indian Nonprofits

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 August 2025
As India leads the way in outcomes-based financing (OBF) across sectors like education, health, and skilling, the social sector is undergoing a quiet but profound shift from measuring inputs to delivering results. But how equipped are Indian nonprofits to respond to this change? Our latest report offers the first of its kind assessment of outcomes readiness across 80+ nonprofits in India. Using a robust Outcomes Readiness Framework and a self-diagnostic tool, the study uncovers where nonprofits currently stand, where the capability gaps lie, and what it will take to strengthen their ability to deliver, measure, and improve outcomes.
  • Paper / Report

Unleashing the Power of Philanthropy for Inclusive Development

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 November 2023
This report by CPID explores how philanthropy can drive equitable social change in India. Drawing from qualitative research and stakeholder interviews, it examines the motivations, methods, and challenges within the philanthropic ecosystem. The report identifies key barriers to inclusive development and proposes actionable strategies to overcome them. It emphasizes the need for systemic thinking, collaborative partnerships, and a focus on marginalized communities to unlock philanthropy’s full potential in fostering justice and sustainability. This working document serves as a catalyst for reimagining philanthropic practices towards inclusive outcomes.
  • Paper / Report

Fellowship Report Compendium 2024: Driving Social Impact through Innovative Finance Approaches

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 February 2025
Some of the finest studies on innovative finance for social impact in this compendium featuring research papers of three exceptional CIFSI Fellows. Driven by the shared goal of fostering impactful solutions, these fellows delved into critical areas, generating valuable insights and contributing to a growing community of practice. The findings have significant implications across multiple sectors, offering actionable strategies to enhance financial inclusion, improve regulatory frameworks, and strengthen ecosystem collaboration. Discover their groundbreaking work and join us in shaping the future of finance for social good.
  • Paper / Report

Exploring Consortium Funding Model for Smaller Non-profits

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 March 2025
The Consortium Funding Model is a collaborative approach that enables multiple funders to support nonprofits through a common platform. By pooling resources and aligning on shared priorities, the model reduces duplication in due diligence and reporting, eases administrative load for grantees, and creates space for more strategic and flexible implementation. It fosters joint learning and coordination among funders while enabling nonprofits to engage with funders as partners rather than individual grant managers.
  • Paper / Report

Outcomes Readiness Framework

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 November 2024
The Outcomes Readiness (OR) Framework provides a structured approach to assess and strengthen the ability of nonprofits to plan, deliver, and adapt programmes for measurable outcomes. It identifies three key dimensions—outcomes culture, outcomes-oriented systems and processes, and programme-level capabilities—that collectively enable organisations to transition from input-focused to outcomes-focused work. Developed through literature review, practitioner input, and field-testing, the OR Framework supports funders and nonprofits in aligning intent, practice, and performance for social impact.
  • Paper / Report

Impact or Illusion: Current Practices and Challenges to Impact Measurement

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 March 2025
This report explores the evolving landscape of impact measurement, drawing on insights from practitioners, ecosystem experts, and organisations working in education, healthcare, and livelihood. While impact is often understood differently across stakeholders, the study highlights key themes shaping impact narratives Systemic Change, Community Empowerment, and Women’s Empowerment-revealing how different organisational models influence their measurement approaches. The report talks about common challenges-capacity constraints, funding limitations, and operational barriers-and explores practical strategies to address them.
  • Paper / Report

State of the Sector: A Report on the Data Maturity of Social Purpose Organisations in India

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 August 2025
The State of the Sector Report offers insights into data readiness and barriers within the social sector across various relevant segments such as type of organisation, thematic areas of work, organisational size, annual expenditure, and geographic presence. The report is designed to shed light on specific challenges faced by organisations in their data maturity, journey and to inspire funders and ecosystem enablers to invest resources in advancing data maturity within the sector.
  • Paper / Report

Data Quality Review

  • Source : Measure Evaluation
This article proposes an integrated approach to data quality review, combining verification and feedback mechanisms. It is particularly useful for health programs and routine data systems, ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reliable for program planning and evaluation. The article emphasizes the importance of ongoing data quality assessments and continuous improvements, which are essential for maintaining high-quality data throughout its lifecycle. By integrating verification and feedback processes, organizations can address data quality issues promptly, ensuring that the data used in decision-making is of the highest quality and supports effective program outcomes.
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