Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a new form of social-sector financing that have only recently emerged. These arrangements stipulate that private agents offer the principal investment in a social initiative and receive returns related to stated performance benchmarks. This presents an opportunity for the government to avoid footing the bill for expensive programs and for the private sector to support the social sector with the potential to profit.
In the era of massive data collection and analysis, the subject of data transparency is often mentioned. ‘Data transparency’ refers to the practice of making inputs or data flows visible to donors, stakeholders, project partners, different departments, and possibly the public. In recent years, it has shifted from an abstract ideal to a necessary component of any successful social impact enterprise. In fact, nonprofit database Guidestar reported in 2019 that transparent nonprofits average 53% more in contributions and perform strongly across a range of dimensions. However, the benefits of transparency extend far beyond donor relations. Operational transparency can improve existing practices, connect organizations with partners in the same space, and maximize social impact by working hand in hand with partners and the community.