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This chapter takes a look at the development and use of indicators and related reporting systems in social impact investing. It introduces the Global Impact Investment Rating System (GIIRS) and the Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS). It then studies the concept of ‘investment impact’ indicators, which are considered as important bridging and blurring devices. This chapter also identifies the advantages and costs of this system, which include a move away from local self-expression of distinct community initiatives.

This chapter focuses on the crucial demand side of the emerging social-impact investment market, the issue of “deal flow,” or limited availability of social-purpose organizations of various types with the scale and sophistication to access complex social-impact investment resources either on their own or with the assistance of a variety of intermediaries. The chapter outlines the structure and dynamics of the demand side of the social-impact investment market, critiques some of the recent attempts to assess demand, suggests how to quantify the scope and trajectories of this side of the market, and reflects on key issues and barriers going forward.

Philanthropy and social-purpose finance are in the midst of a “Big Bang” at the present time, an enormous profusion of new actors and new tools that are revolutionizing the provision of financing for social-purpose activities. A central feature of this development is the leveraging of private investment capital for social-purpose activities. This chapter introduces readers to the basic scope of this phenomenon, some of the basic features underlying its development, and some of the key terms and concepts needed to make sense of it.

This chapter examines the emergence of “enterprise brokers” who function to link social-impact investors to innovative ventures that can yield targeted rates of return as well as social and environmental benefits. The function of the “enterprise broker” is to source investment deals and connect investors with mission-oriented investment funds. Two related organizations that support enterprise brokers are set forth: social investment ratings firms that provide ratings systems, set standards and conduct research; and social investment infrastructure organizations, advocacy and information-sharing entities that promote social investment and encourage investor participation. The chapter outlines how the work of these supporting organizations has helped demonstrate, to a broader audience, both the opportunities and the challenges in the field. The chapter further describes how the organizations presented will continue to shape the field and bridge the information gap between investors, social venture funds, and entrepreneurs.