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Research and Applications

PERC is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding Information Solutions for Development Challenges worldwide. Going beyond the standard think tank model of solely carrying out research and producing reports, our staff develops real-world applications and works with policy makers at all levels to bring about the change we seek.

Find out more: About PERC

Serving the Missing Middle

PERC's mission is to serve the Missing Middle, the almost 4 billion people above the global poverty line who do not have access to affordable mainstream credit, by utilizing a new type of economic development: information-led development.

Find out more: Information-Led Development, Who are the missing middle?

Overcoming the Catch-22

Up to 70 million Americans are excluded from the financial mainstream because of the Credit Catch-22: you need to have a history of debt to get credit. PERC's Alternative Data Initiative has already helped many Americans overcome this Catch-22 and access affordable mainstream credit.

Find out more: Alternative Data Initiative

Smart Disaster Recovery

PERC has developed metrics for the Louisiana Recovery Agency and the World Bank to track small business recovery from natural disasters.

Find out more: Gulf Coast Economic Renewal

Donate to PERC

You can help support PERC's mission of global asset building by donating via Paypal. PERC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated in the state of North Carolina. All donations are tax deductible.


Economic Development Metrics (EDM)



  • » Impacts of community development programs of non-profit organizations like the United Way of America are difficult to measure.

  • » Prevailing “outcomes based” measures often lack full quantitative rigor.

  • » Community development groups have been slow at adopting the latest information technology advances that can enable better monitoring, benchmarking and impact analysis.

  • » Consequently, non-profits depend on often problematic evidence to support the efficacy of their programs.

  • » Donors and government sponsors are demanding more transparency and measurable results to maximize the impact of their limited resources.

  • » Develop a road map for the collection of relevant data.

  • » Use consumer credit records to track efficacy of financial literacy, homeownership, and small business programs.

  • » Benchmark the credit records of people enrolled in United Way programs and compare with specifically defined comparison groups and with randomly unselected applicants.

  • » Develop and test a series of metrics that will test program-level efficacy, identify appropriate time horizon for evaluation, and assist in targeting segments in need.



EDM Phase 1
  • » Work with United Way locals in select “pilot” cities to evaluate financial stability programs, structure experimental trials, and assess underlying data.

  • » Use United Way program data, credit file data, and other data to develop individual financial performance metrics, program performance metrics, and community impact benchmarks.

EDM Phase 2
  • » Develop and deploy proto-type dashboard to monitor effects of charitable programs upon program recipients, families, and communities.
  • » Publish and promote report toplining key findings from 18 months of field research with select United Way locals.
  • » Encourage widespread use of customized and general performance metrics among community economic development organizations.

Financial Stability Metrics:

In conjunction with select United Way Locals, including United Way of Forsyth County, United Way of Central Ohio, and United Way of Miami-Date, PERC is developing a set of metrics designed to assess the impact of programs (e.g. EITC, IDA, financial literacy, credit counseling) that together comprise the United Way Financial Stability Program. PERC will conduct a feasibility study in a limited number of Locals in an effort to develop the prototype Financial Stability Dashboard. If successful, PERC will expand its field research to include a larger number of locals in an effort to bring the application to national scalability. This application has the potential to dramatically increase the efficacy of the United Ways’ financial stability program and reshape the way that all economic development organizations approach financial stability.
Download the Economic Development Metrics brochure here.

Asia-Pacific Credit Coalition

APCC is a PERC-managed coalition committed to promoting a regional standard for full-file, comprehensive consumer credit reporting to private credit bureaus within the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies. Please visit PERC's coalition for credit standards in the APEC region, the Asia-Pacific Credit Coalition

Follow PERC here!

To learn more about PERC projects, including goals, the timeframes, supporters, testimonials, and how you can get involved, please view one of our brochures:

Alternative Data Initiative
Information-Led Development
Gulf Coast Economic Renewal
Economic Development Metrics