• 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.
  • Framework / Toolkit / App

Outcomes Readiness Tool

  • Source : ISDM
  • 2 January 2025
The Outcomes Readiness Self-Assessment Tool enables nonprofits to evaluate their preparedness to plan, implement, and adapt programmes for measurable outcomes. Structured around the Outcomes Readiness Framework, the tool assesses three dimensions: outcomes culture, organisational systems and processes, and programme-level capabilities. It offers a practical, diagnostic lens to identify strengths, surface capability gaps, and inform capacity-building efforts.
  • Framework / Toolkit / App

Impact Assessment & Evaluation Guide

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 March 2025
The purpose of this guidebook is threefold: firstly, to clarify the definitions and distinctions of Impact Assessment (IA), Monitoring, and Evaluation (M&E); secondly, to highlight the unique challenges inherent in the sector, emphasising the significance of (ISDM) advisory services in providing a holistic view to undertaking evaluations and impact assessment; and thirdly, to outline ISDM’s approach to impact assessment and evaluation, specifically tailored to its target audience.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Measure twice, pay once

  • Source : IDR
  • 1 March 2025
This article explores how monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) must evolve to support outcomes readiness in the social sector. It argues that MEL should go beyond outcomes to track inputs, processes, and implementation quality. The article highlights the need for MEL to inform strategic decisions, budgeting, and program adaptation, rather than functioning as a compliance mechanism. It also calls for a balance between independent verification and internal learning systems, with MEL teams playing a key role in contextualising results. Ultimately, it advocates for a culture of reflection, where data is used to improve performance rather than just report it.
  • Framework / Toolkit / App

Data Maturity Assessment (DMA)

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 April 2025
The CDSSI Data Maturity Assessment Toolkit takes a holistic approach of evaluating data use across multiple dimensions, considering how organisations collect, manage, analyse, and apply data for both programmatic and operational purposes. Using this online assessment tool, SPOs can self assess their data capabilities and determine their own data maturity. This enables organisations to identify gaps, optimise resource allocation, and enhance overall efficiency and transition towards a more data-driven approach.
  • 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 organization, thematic areas of work, organizational size, annual expenditure, and geographic presence. The report is designed to shed light on specific challenges faced by organizations in their data maturity journey and to inspire funders and ecosystem enablers to invest resources in advancing data maturity within the sector.
  • Case Study

Ask, and they receive

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 April 2025
FarmerChat, an AI assistant, is helping farmers across India and abroad get quick, relevant answers to questions about better farming practices, loans, market prices, subsidies, and much more. The result? Improved agricultural productivity Kothapalli Jyothi (32) has hitched up her bright green-and-pink saree, and is plucking onions, brinjals, tomatoes and radishes as she walks nimbly through rows of vegetable crops. Behind her is a sea of fiery red chillies, glistening sharply in the afternoon sun. This healthy produce, and bountiful…
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