In January of 2018, the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) is launching a new paid membership model through which organizations from the inclusive finance industry can begin supporting and playing a larger role in SPTF's work.

Organizations who sign up for this annual membership receive:

• recognition as a leader and influencer in responsible inclusive finance 
• opportunities for employees to connect with like-minded peers
• priority registration at SPTF events
• discounts on SPTF events for up to two employees
• invitations to organizational-member-only events
• ability to elect and be elected to the SPTF Board of Directors
• ability to announce events/news in the SPTF newsletter
• opportunities to contribute content and propose topics for SPTF meetings
• ...and more!

Cost of Organizational Membership

The cost of organizational membership depends on your organization's type and size. We are also offering an early bird discount for organizations who sign up before April 15th.

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FAQs about Organizational Membership

Most Common Questions

• Why sign up for an organizational membership?

  SPTF is a unique global platform that brings together the whole ecosystem of stakeholders in inclusive finance. This platform allows our industry to:

  • develop and promote standards and best practices for social performance management (SPM)
  • make financial services safer, easier to access, and more beneficial for clients so that we achieve the social promise of inclusive finance
  • coordinate the work of leading initiatives in responsible inclusive finance
  • create and run working groups (e.g., outcomes, social investors, refugee microfinance) where stakeholders from across the industry can learn from each other, advance practice, and address frontier issues

   

  Your support of the Social Performance Task Force through membership fees is vital to sustaining this platform and this collaborative work.  Becoming an organizational member is also a great way to become a more active, influential partner in SPTF's work and help determine the direction/development of the inclusive finance industry.

• How much does it cost?

  The cost of organizational membership depends on your organization's type and size. We are also offering an early bird discount for organizations who sign up before April 1st.  Please consult the fee chart here or fill out the membership sign-up form here to calculate your organization's fee.

• What are all the benefits?

  The benefits of organizational membership include:

  • Industry recognition as part of a network of leaders and movers in responsible inclusive finance (exposure on SPTF website, special recognition during meeting and events, and other materials)
  • Ability to elect and be elected to the SPTF Board of Directors
  • Priority registration and discount for up to two members of the organization to attend SPTF meetings (a discount of $100 for each person)
  • Invitation to special events (e.g. members-only sessions, networking spaces)
  • Ability to contribute content to meetings and propose sessions/topics
  • Ability to announce events/news and/or share information in the SPTF newsletter
  • Access to all SPTF webinars
  • Ability to participate in SPTF working groups
  • Access to SPTF newsletters and announcements
  • Access to all public resources (e.g., Universal Standards, Outcomes guidelines, etc.) 

• Who is eligible to sign up for organizational membership?

  Organizational membership is available to organizations fitting one of the following descriptions:

  • Financial Service Providers
    Organizations who offer financial services, such as loans and savings, to clients.
    
    
  • Association/Network
    An association or network of financial service providers.
    
    
  • Investor
    Organizations who make equity and/or debt investments in financial service providers.
    
    
  • Funders
    Grant-making entities.
    
    
  • Information Service Provider
    
    
  • Auditor
    
    
  • Rater
    
    
  • Standard Setter
    
    
  • Support Organization
    Organizations who work with financial service providers in multiple countries, setting policies and providing services for affiliates/partners, and also providing investment/technical assistance.
    

  
  Though individuals and all other organizations not mentioned above are not eligible for organizational membership at this time, there are many other ways to become involved and/or support the SPTF. These include:

  • Signing up for our mailing list
  • Making a contribution
  • Emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. regarding other ways to become involved

   

• How do I sign up?

   

  Please complete our organizational membership sign-up form.

• I need assistance.

  We'd love to help.  Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Further Information

• Is there another way to be involved besides becoming an organizational member and paying annual fees?

  Yes! You can become a "collaborating partner" and fund specific SPTF projects or activities. This is a great option for organizations and individuals who are restricted from paying annual fees. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about collaborating partnerships and to identify projects/activities at SPTF that best suit the needs and priorities of your organization.

  If you are not ready to become an organizational member or collaborating partner but you would like to stay up-to-date on SPTF activities and news, you can also sign up for the mailing list here.

• My organization used to be an “organizational member” in the previous structure.  What does that mean with the new membership model?

  
  To remain as organizational member, your organization must pay an annual membership fee.

• Do organizational members still have to pay for events or trainings?

  
  Organizational members are charged a discounted rate for in-person events and may attend nearly all virtual events for free.  Members are also given priority registration at all these events -- non-members can only attend if there is space left after all interested members have signed up.

• How many of my staff members can use the organizational membership benefits?

  
  There is no limit on the number of staff members who can access SPTF resources through your organization’s membership.  Event registration discounts can be used by up to two members of your organization.

• The SPTF was free for many years.  Why introduce fees now?

  
  Until the end of 2017, the SPTF was exclusively funded by grants (largely by the exceptional generosity of the Ford Foundation for over a decade, as well as by the strong commitment and generosity of SDC and AFD).  This allowed the SPTF to support the inclusive finance industry at little or no cost to its stakeholders.  However, the funding landscape has changed, and the SPTF is adapting by implementing a blended funding model to reduce its dependency on grants.

• Will these new membership fees cover all of SPTF's operating costs?

  
  No.  We estimate membership fees will cover approximately 15% of the SPTF annual operational budget.  Membership fees will also help secure other funding, as they demonstrate to funders that our members value and support our work.

• Will SPTF continue to provide resources to the public?

  
  Yes.  All resources developed by the SPTF for the public good -- e.g., the Universal Standards, the Implementation Guide, guidelines on outcomes management, etc. -- will continue to be available for free to anybody interested in accessing them.  SPTF’s critical role in providing public resources is an important reason why donor funding will continue to be a fundamental component of our organization.

• How did SPTF determine the membership fees for each stakeholder group?

  
  The fee structure was defined through a careful process.  First, we looked at fee structure benchmarks of several other membership organizations in the field. Then, board members presented for debate what might be most reasonable for their stakeholder group. Finally, the board took into consideration the size of organizations – and their consquent ability to contribute.

• How did SPTF communicate with its members about the new membership model?

  
  Through many different channels!  The SPTF discussed the new membership model on several occasions throughout 2017, including in various editions of the newsletter, during announcements and discussions at the 2017 Annual Meeting in Mexico, in emails to each stakeholder group from the Secretariat and from each group’s board representatives, during webinars hosted by board representatives for their stakeholder groups, and on the membership page on the SPTF website.

• I still have questions or comments.

  We would love to hear from you.  Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Benefits of Organizational Membership

• Industry recognition as part of a network of leaders and movers in responsible inclusive
  finance (exposure on SPTF website, special recognition during meeting and events, and other
  materials)
• Ability to elect and be elected to the SPTF Board of Directors
• Priority registration and discount for up to two members of the organization to attend SPTF
  meetings (a discount of $100 for each person)
• Invitation to special events (e.g. members-only sessions, networking spaces)
• Ability to contribute to content, propose sessions/topics for meetings
• Ability to announce events/news and/or share information in SPTF newsletter
• Access to all SPTF webinars
• Ability to participate in SPTF working groups
• Access to news of SPTF, newsletters, webinar announcements, etc.
• Access to all public goods (e.g., Universal Standards, Outcomes guidelines, etc.)

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