NPX Inc. Innovative Impact Financing Model Evaluation and Technical Assistance

Project Description

The Center for Social Investment provides independent evaluation and technical support for innovative impact investment models that tie funding to real-world outcomes. Since 2020, Omni has partnered with NPX, Inc. to support its flagship outcomes-based financing model, the Impact Security—a performance-based debt instrument that releases funds to nonprofits based on their achievement of pre-defined “impact units.” This structure unlocks flexible working capital for organizations while holding funding accountable to tangible, verifiable results.

The Center for Social Investment's role began with participation on NPX’s Council of Experts, where we helped assess nonprofit alignment through theory of change reviews, evaluation capacity assessments, and impact feasibility analyses. For the seven nonprofits selected (each focused on improving economic security in their communities), we co-developed programmatically meaningful performance metrics, or Impact Metrics, that serve as the foundation for outcome-linked payments. We also worked closely with each organization to design practical, rigorous methods for documenting success, including verifying sustained housing and employment through lease agreements, offer letters, and bank statements.

To support these organizations in tracking their progress, the Center for Social Investment helped develop or refine data infrastructure that works within existing systems, like Excel or Salesforce, ensuring that data collection is streamlined and accessible. We provide responsive technical assistance throughout the year and conduct biannual audits for each nonprofit. Interim audits verify data alignment and flag potential issues early, while official audits include metric tabulation, a technical summary, and documentation of any challenges encountered—serving as the basis for investor repayments and donor fund disbursement.

This work not only strengthens nonprofit data capacity but reinforces transparency and accountability across the funding model. Through rigorous verification and deep collaboration, the Center for Social Investment ensures that the ImpactS ecurity delivers on its promise—demonstrating what it takes to embed equity, rigor, and trust in outcomes-based financing.

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