We seek to offer a promising pathway to social impact measurement across developed and developing economies despite there being ambiguity surrounding the measurement tools of social innovation. Social innovation refers to innovative activities and services that satisfy social needs and span beyond products and technology to include ideas, movements, and interventions (Dainiene & Dagiliene, 2015; Mulgan, 2006; Phills, Deiglmeier & Miller, 2008). Commonly measured using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), it allows organizations to explore the value that they add or destroy within a given business context. The TBL is a three-fold approach to measuring impact via economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social justice (Elkington, 1980). We seek to add to the conversation by identifying possible direct and indirect measures for actors and projects in the Global North and Global South in the context of a University - Nonprofit partnership. We followed a case study approach using observations and a series of interviews with both graduate-level project startups and community members through a social innovation incubator. We examined how participants meet the pressures to reveal social impact in accordance with the TBL by utilizing thematic analysis. Thematic Analysis offers an accessible and flexible approach to analysing qualitative data (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The findings suggest how social innovation initiatives may achieve buy-in from the local community. Buy-in is facilitated by perceived benefits and the key factors to help ensure buy-in include communication, collaboration, inclusion, involvement, and acceptance to change (Miller & Merrilees 2013; Ridzi 2004). We identify four measurable indicators that reveal buy-in including community identified problems, community ownership, community capabilities, and paying it forward. This research provides a foundation for future research within the field of measuring social impact.