SDG Impact Reporting:
Module 1: From Mission to Meaningful Goals

Learn to Leverage The SDGs as Your Business Superpower

Module Description

Welcome to the first step in your SDG reporting journey!

This foundational module is designed to help you close the "articulation gap" by connecting your authentic business mission to a globally recognized framework. We will introduce the three-pillar model for impact reporting—The 'Why', 'What', and 'How'—and dive deep into the first pillar: Authenticity and Materiality. You will learn to reframe the SDGs not as a reporting burden, but as a powerful language to articulate the problem your business was founded to solve, setting the stage for credible and compelling communication.

What You’ll Learn

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Explain the strategic value of the SDGs for small, mission-driven businesses.

  • Identify the core components of the Three-Pillar Framework for impact reporting.

  • Analyze how leading brands use this framework to communicate their purpose.

  • Articulate the specific global "challenge" or "issue" your business model is designed to address.

This Week’s Assignment

1. Listen to this week’s podcast (10 min) to get the basics and learn about your peer companies.

2. Review your personalized SDG Readiness Assessment that you received by email. As you read, consider the following questions:

  • What in the report resonates most strongly with your understanding of your business?

  • Were there any findings or suggested SDGs that surprised you?

  • What do you want to challenge, refine, or better understand?

3. Come Ready to Discuss on Thursday’s Live Session: We will gather in an interactive workshop where we discuss these initial SDG assessments as a group. Your thoughtful review will be essential for a productive conversation.

Learn more about the SDGs:

Featured Resources

Take a look at these best-in-class impact reporting for inspiration!

Meet the 2025 Business Cohort

  • Crystalyn Kae Brennan

    Crystalyn Kae Accessories

    Original, handcrafted accessories made from ethically sourced and reclaimed materials here in the USA, since 2001

  • Alpaza Rajbhandari

    Ekadesma

    A Seattle and Kathmandu-based slow fashion brand, crafting sustainable collections from Nepalese handwoven textiles ethically, mindfully, consciously

  • Fatima-Iram Dim

    Refugee Artisan Initiative

    We partner with refugee and immigrant women to foster an inclusive, prosperous transition to the US through artisan skill training and micro business development

  • Elizabeth Lopez

    Rue Sante

    Purposeful, thoughtful, and intentional self-care products that work in tandem with nature to create whole-body harmony

  • Lindsay Lawrence

    Metamorphic Gear

    We transform unwanted sail & tryck tarp material destined for landfill into stylish bags and accessories

  • Wendy Woldenberg

    WEND Jewelry

    Modern heirloom handmade & gender-neutral jewelry as unique and rugged as you. Sustainably made using Eco-Gold (Certified Recycled Gold) and ethically-sourced gems.

  • Nazia Siddiqui

    Trancend

    Slow and thoughtful fashion brand that merges heritage hand embroidery and art with timeless silhouettes to create bespoke women's clothing

  • Lisa Iland Hilbert

    Redesign Collective

    Grassroots waste management service and design incubator which collects high value excess materials from the interior design trade and upcycles them into luxury products

  • Julie Kimball-Bryant

    Global Neighborhood

    Offers pathways to employment for our neighbors who have come to Spokane as refugees, providing work through our sustainable, accessible thrift and vintage store.

  • Melanie Carr

    Diaper Stork

    Mom-owned cloth diaper service enabling parents to make sustainable choices for their babies and their communities