What Social Progress Imperative does

Social Progress Imperative is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops and operates the Social Progress Index (SPI) framework, a measurement system designed to assess social and environmental outcomes independently of economic indicators. The framework is built on three dimensions (Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity), twelve components, and 51+ indicators sourced from UN data, research institutions, and polling organizations, and has been implemented in more than 50 countries with methodology audited by the EU's Joint Research Centre.

Its product portfolio comprises the flagship Global SPI (covering 171 countries from 2011 to 2025), the US Social Progress Map (50 states, 500 cities, 32,000 neighborhoods, ~10 million data points), the Just Transition Score (161 countries, climate-related social progress), the SPI Time Series (1990–2020 across 170 countries with 715,000+ data points), and a growing suite of regional and thematic indices covering the EU (including a Health Equity Map across 242 NUTS2 regions), Brazil (5,570 municipalities), Panama coastal communities (Blue Dimension), US metropolitan areas, and youth populations. The organization licenses a partner-built UK local-authority platform called Place Insight through Impera Analytics.

The business model blends nonprofit revenue streams: donations from individuals and philanthropic foundations (Skoll, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth), tiered premium subscriptions for its data tools (Global SPI $1,000/yr, US Map $5,000/yr, Time Series $2,500/yr, plus lower-priced Research and Changemaker tiers), bespoke custom index development for regions/sectors/communities, and data licensing for third-party integration. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with a global partner channel network across 50+ countries, targeting governments, corporates, investors, NGOs, and academics. The organization is led by CEO Michael Green (three-time TED speaker with 6M+ views) and Board Chair David Cruickshank, former Global Chair of Deloitte.

Name

Social Progress Imperative

Legal name

Social Progress Imperative, Inc.

Website

https://socialprogress.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Social Progress Imperative is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and licenses the Social Progress Index framework and a suite of country, regional, and thematic data tools, serving governments, corporates, investors, NGOs, and academics across 50+ countries through subscriptions, custom indices, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Progress Measurement and Data Analytics

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Public Affairs & Government Relations (MPAAADAE), Governance, Public Financial Management & Service Delivery Reform (BPADAEAD)

Keywords

• Social progress measurement
• Social index methodology
• Social data analytics
• Impact measurement tools
• ESG data platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Premium Tools Subscriptions: Annual subscription-based access to premium data tools including Global SPI, US Map, Just Transition Score, and Time Series. Priced per category (Business/Investor, Foundation, Government, Research, Changemaker) with individual and group access options.
2. Custom/Tailored Index Development: Custom-built Social Progress Index tools for specific regions, sectors, or communities in partnership with organizations. Includes consultation services and data licensing for commercial integration.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Social Progress Imperative depends on donations to fund operations and accelerate social progress initiatives worldwide.
4. Data Licensing: Commercial licensing options for integrating SPI data and methodology into third-party products and platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Social Progress Imperative develops and licenses the Social Progress Index (SPI) framework and a suite of data insight tools that measure social and environmental outcomes across countries, regions, and subnational geographies. Offerings include subscription-based premium data products (Global SPI, US Social Progress Map, Just Transition Score, SPI Time Series) and custom-built indexes developed in partnership with organizations in more than 50 countries.

Product overview

Social Progress Imperative is a nonprofit organization that provides a suite of data insight tools centered on the Social Progress Index framework. The flagship offering is the Global Social Progress Index, a comprehensive measure of social progress across 171 countries, supplemented by the US Social Progress Map (covering 50 states, 500 cities, and 32,000 neighborhoods), the Just Transition Score (measuring climate change impact on social progress), and the Social Progress Index Time Series (historical data from 1990-2020). The company also offers regional indexes including the European Union Regional Social Progress Index and Brazil Social Progress Index, thematic indexes such as the EU Regional Health Equity Map and Blue Dimension Social Progress Index for Panama, and the Youth Progress Index. Through a partnership with Impera Analytics, they provide Place Insight for UK local authorities. The framework is built on 3 dimensions (Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, Opportunity), 12 components, and over 50 social and environmental indicators. Products range from free public tools to premium subscription-based tools (Global SPI at $1,000/year, US Map at $5,000/year, Time Series at $2,500/year) targeting governments, corporations, investors, NGOs, and academics in over 50 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Social Progress Index A premium subscription data product measuring the social progress performance of 171 countries from 2011 to 2025, providing country profiles, downloadable datasets, regional data access, indicator-level insights, world maps, and in-depth analysis of 68 drivers of social progress. Targets governments, corporates, investors, researchers, and changemakers.
• US Social Progress Map Premium subscription tool covering 50 US states, 500 cities, and 32,000 neighborhoods with nearly 10 million data points, interactive maps, customized scorecards, 57 measures of social progress, and integrated demographics and economic data. Targets US-based organizations needing hyperlocal social progress data.
• Just Transition Score Premium subscription product providing a first-of-its-kind measure of the social progress impact of climate change. Covers 161 countries from 2011 to 2022 and maps 69 drivers of social and environmental progress with exclusive environmental data visualizations.
• Social Progress Index Time Series Premium subscription product measuring social progress from 1990 to 2020 across 170 countries. Includes over 12 visualizations, access to 715,000+ data points, regional data, indicator-level insights, and rank changes since 1990.
• Place Insight A UK-based Local Authority Social Progress Index platform designed by partner Impera Analytics, offering localized, high-quality insight into well-being, opportunity, and quality of life beyond economic metrics for UK local authorities.
• Youth Progress Index A thematic data insights tool used by governments, youth organizations, and civil society to advocate for better social opportunities for youth and to improve well-being measurement for new generations globally.
• EU Regional Health Equity Map Data product offering an overview of health-related inequalities and the social determinants of health across all 242 NUTS2 regions of the European Union. Published in collaboration with the European Commission and the Joint Research Centre.
• European Union Regional Social Progress Index Regional index providing a comprehensive overview of the strengths, weaknesses, needs, and opportunities within European Union regions. Used by the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions to monitor cohesion policy investments and benchmark regional performance.
• Brazil Social Progress Index Regional index covering 5,570 municipalities across Brazil's 26 states and the Federal District. One of the most ambitious efforts worldwide to measure social progress on a subnational scale.
• Blue Dimension Social Progress Index for Panama Thematic index covering seven coastal communities in Panama's Gulf of Chiriquí and Montijo. Integrates 87 indicators to measure progress with a specific 'Blue Dimension' capturing governance, blue economy, sociocultural connection, and climate adaptation. Developed with Fundación MarViva and INCAE Business School.
• Social Progress Index for US Metropolitan Areas Regional index measuring how US metropolitan areas have advanced or regressed in social progress for 2018 and 2023, covering 384 metropolitan areas. Built in collaboration between the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Social Progress Imperative.
• Custom/Tailored Index Development Custom-built Social Progress Index tools developed in partnership with organizations for specific regions, sectors, or communities. Includes consultation, data licensing, and collaboration with the organization's researchers and analysts to address specific data and insight needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ academic references in 130+ papers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• DeloittestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal professional services firm that collaborates with Social Progress Imperative on research and implementation of social progress tools. Former Global Chair David Cruickshank serves as Board Chair.
• Mastercard Center for Inclusive GrowthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting the mission to advance social progress through data-driven insights.
• Skoll FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic foundation supporting social entrepreneurship and social progress initiatives globally.
• European CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU institution collaborating on EU Regional Social Progress Index and Joint Research Centre audit of methodology. Published in collaboration with European Commission.
• European Committee of the RegionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU advisory body uses EU Regional Social Progress Index to monitor cohesion policy investments and benchmark regional performance.
• AngloAmericanstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining company using SPI tools to assess business opportunities and document impact in communities where they operate.
• Alti GlobalstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal advisory firm partner supporting social progress measurement initiatives.
• Fundación AvinastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American foundation supporting social innovation and collaboration for sustainable development.
• Advance OCstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in advancing social progress initiatives.
• Habitat for HumanitystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit housing organization using SPI framework to assess community wellbeing and housing needs.
• European Youth ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform for youth organizations in Europe working on youth issues and social progress.
• INCAE Business SchoolstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American business school partner in developing Blue Dimension SPI for Panama coastal communities.
• Fundación MarVivastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian foundation leading the Blue Dimension SPI for Panama, integrating 87 indicators for coastal community assessment.
• Institute for CompetitivenessstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian competitiveness institute using SPI for state and district level analysis in India.
• Impera AnalyticsstrategicTechnology or IntegrationUK-based partner that built Place Insight platform - a Local Authority Social Progress Index offering localized wellbeing insights.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bertelsmann Foundation (Sustainable Governance Indicators): Bertelsmann's SGI assesses governance and policy outcomes across OECD and EU countries. Comparable as a policy-focused indicator framework used by governments and researchers, with similar academic citation footprint and European institutional adoption.
• Legatum Institute (Legatum Prosperity Index): Legatum's Prosperity Index ranks 167 countries across pillars including economic quality, governance, and social capital. Closely comparable as a multi-dimensional country index aimed at informing policy, with similar subscription/premium data offerings for governments and researchers.
• United Nations Development Programme (Human Development Index): UNDP's HDI is the most recognized composite country-level development index. Like SPI, it aggregates indicators into a country-level score, but HDI incorporates economic (GNI) inputs while SPI explicitly excludes economic proxies — the two are routinely discussed together in the beyond-GDP conversation.
• OECD Better Life Index: OECD's Better Life Index measures quality of life across 11 topics for OECD member countries. Directly comparable to SPI as a country-level social outcome index, though OECD's coverage is limited to higher-income OECD members while SPI spans 171 countries.
• Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDG Index): SDSN publishes the SDG Index benchmarking country performance against all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Comparable methodology (indicator aggregation across social outcomes) and overlapping customer base (governments, researchers) make it the closest thematic peer in the SDG measurement space.

Emerging players

• Good Country Index (Simon Anholt): The Good Country Index ranks countries on their contribution to the planet and humanity across 35 indicators. Comparable as a country-level social/ethical outcome index but with a distinct outward-facing framing (how countries contribute externally) rather than SPI's inward-facing wellbeing measurement.
• Social Capital Foundation: UK-based organization focused on measuring social capital and community wellbeing. Comparable as a social measurement specialist with overlapping themes (wellbeing beyond economic metrics), but operates at a smaller scale and primarily UK focus.

Broad incumbents

• World Economic Forum (Inclusive Development Index): WEF's Inclusive Development Index measures economic growth and inclusion across countries. Comparable as a country-level index positioned for policymakers and business leaders, but WEF operates as a broader forum/convening organization while SPI is a focused measurement specialist.
• World Bank (World Development Indicators): The World Bank's WDI is the default global development data source with broader scope and institutional reach than SPI. Overlaps where SPI competes for analytical attention, but WDI includes economic indicators and lacks SPI's pure social-outcome framing and sub-national granularity.
• United Nations Statistics Division: UNSD is the official statistical aggregator for many of the underlying indicators SPI consumes (and one of its data sources). Comparable as a country-level social/environmental data provider to governments, though it is a much broader statistical body rather than a focused social-progress index publisher.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/socprogress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Social Progress Imperative