Businesses are increasingly expected to have a positive social impact, as evidenced by the rapid growth of impact investing. Yet, even as the impact investing market has taken off, impact measurement has lagged, undermining the credibility of the sector. Impact measurement is also critical to individual firms, not-for-profits and governments, as they face increased pressure to generate quantifiable results. How can we measure impact? What are some of the most effective frameworks, tools and approaches for impact measurement? How does one choose the most appropriate measurement tool based on factors such as the size, maturity and sector of an organization? Can impact be distilled down to a single monetary measure, such as a dollar? These and other questions will be explored in considerable depth, primarily through analysis and discussion of case studies. This course is a good match for students interested in impact measurement, impact investing, profit-with-purpose businesses or the role of business in society. The course will be taught by Matt Bannick, who led the impact investing firm, Omidyar Network, and served as the President of PayPal and of eBay International.
2 units · GSB Letter Graded
Businesses are increasingly expected to have a positive social impact, as evidenced by the rapid growth of impact investing. Yet, even as the impact investing market has taken off, impact measurement has lagged, undermining the credibility of the sector. Impact measurement is also critical to individual firms, not-for-profits and governments, as they face increased pressure to generate quantifiable results. How can we measure impact? What are some of the most effective frameworks, tools and approaches for impact measurement? How does one choose the most appropriate measurement tool based on factors such as the size, maturity and sector of an organization? Can impact be distilled down to a single monetary measure, such as a dollar? These and other questions will be explored in considerable depth, primarily through analysis and discussion of case studies. This course is a good match for students interested in impact measurement, impact investing, profit-with-purpose businesses or the role of business in society. The course will be taught by Matt Bannick, who led the impact investing firm, Omidyar Network, and served as the President of PayPal and of eBay International.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.