SPI's investment paradigm differs dramatically from most other organizations dealing with preservation. SPI places equal or greater focus on sustainable economic and social investment as opposed to a preservation-only focus. SPI will invest in and advise on locally owned and controlled businesses whose success is tied to the continued preservation and sustainable management of local archaeological sites. These businesses will all have an excellent chance of economic success, thereby creating a local constituent group whose economic interest is aligned with site preservation. SPI will favor investments that create or stimulate a cluster of businesses, increasing the multiplier effect of its dollars, the economic benefits to the community, and the attraction of additional investors.

SPI's investments will be in non-OECD countries as well as Mexico, Greece and Turkey. The first two countries in which SPI will invest are Peru and Jordan, though other countries will be added shortly. Archaeological research will generally be taking place locally, so that an "embedded archaeologist" with strong knowledge of local community power structures is available to advise SPI with respect to the selection of entrepreneurs and ownership structures. These projects will have strong community support---SPI must be wanted!---and a contribution of local funding, resources or in-kind labor and services.

Consistent with its focus on "people not stones", SPI will not fund conservation, except as incident to enhancing the businesses described above. For example, SPI might fund a small amount of conservation in order to enhance a site's touristic experience. In no event will SPI fund a project where more than 20% of the requested proceeds will be utilized for conservation.

All projects receiving funding from SPI must collect quantitative and qualitative data regarding both business and preservation results. Every SPI project must have discernible methods of evaluation in both of these areas. Economic metrics will include jobs created, revenue generated, profitability, and additional economic activity and tourist visits stimulated. Preservation metrics will include site deterioration, absence or reduction of destructive activities at a site (agricultural activities, grazing, and looting to name a few) and preservation measures taken by the local community in order to preserve their "asset". SPI will utilize this data both to measure the success of ongoing projects as well as to modify and improve its investment paradigm and criteria for future investments.