Intentional Endowments Network’s Post

Check out this brilliant case for impact investing in America's HBCUs. Investing in historically black colleges and universities not only generates financial returns but also fosters positive social and economic outcomes. This article dives deep into the transformative power of impact investing in education and beyond. A must-read for anyone interested in creating meaningful change through investment. #ImpactInvesting #HBCUs #SocialImpact

Sunday inspiration on the power of investing with purpose. I often post about impact investing, but for many the term is still elusive, and there are many mis-conceptions about the need to realize less returns for impact. Let's shift the conversation. Thanks Indira Vergis and AsianInvestor for this insight conversation with Mary Ann Tsao of the Tsao Foundation on busting myths in impact investing and philanthropy. For me, the data points that impact investing can achieve market rate returns is well known. For example, McKinsey & Company studied the returns of 48 different impact investments and found an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 10 per cent and also found that a third of the investments had an average IRR of 34 per cent. So, what I appreciate about Mary Ann's approach includes: First, as investors we can choose market rate impact returns, or we can choose different return profiles to accelerate specific impact that we believe in and align. Second, Philanthropy is not the only option to market rate returns. In fact, investors have the potential to great extend their impact by investing in deeper impact that provide financial returns, allowing the investor to then re-invest in more impact opportunities. As Mary Ann states, "Philanthropic giving and impact investing working together can synergistically create much greater impact than either one alone." Blended finance and catalytic capital can sit in this middle ground between market rate return impact investing and philanthropy. According to ImpactAlpha, blended finance has rebounded in the US and we are seeing the growth of this sector in Canada. Impact investing can truly meet all investors where they are in both their target financial return profile and their target impact. And, there are so many options in the middle to create a well diversified, risk adjusted, and impact maximized portfolio. #impactinvesting #philanthropy #venturephilanthropy #bethechange #whatinspiresme https://lnkd.in/gmUgMFQV

There's still time for endowments & foundations to sign-up for this second pilot cohort of the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB) - If you're with an E&F, or have some as clients who might be interested, or think your college or alma mater would be a good fit for this, be in touch! See the endowments & foundations that have participated to date and their ratings here: https://lnkd.in/eq6ssQyk #impinv #sustainableinvesting #futureoffinance #ESG #sustainability #JEDI #climate #climaterisk #justtransition #endowments #foundations #impact #measurement #management #IMM Intentional Endowments Network BlueMark Sarah Gelfand Anna Nikolova Bella A. Paris Prince, MBA, CDE, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

#endowment and #foundation leaders: do check out Intentional Endowments Network’s Endowment Impact Benchmark pilot cohort. By participating you can provide meaningful insight to the broader community on the impact of your investment activities and have a seat at the table to shape what a benchmark program can look like.

In honor of Women’s History Month, AltFinance proudly recognizes the remarkable contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who are advancing the alternative investments industry. Trailblazers and HBCU alumni like Clearlake Capital Group’s Marcelia Freeman (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University), Goldman Sachs’ Nicole Pullen Ross (Hampton University), and Neuberger Berman’s Patricia Zollar (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) embody resilience, innovation, and leadership in the realm of investing. Their remarkable achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration, urging us to challenge barriers, defy stereotypes, and relentlessly pursue excellence in every facet of investing. AltFinance is committed to addressing the root causes of underrepresentation in alternatives, including by increasing the presence of women of color in investment roles. Through the AltFinance Fellowship program, we’ve supported nearly 60 female Fellows, comprising an impressive 45% of all Fellows across three cohorts. Our mission is clear: to foster greater diversity in alternative investments by empowering HBCU communities with access to specialized curriculum, invaluable networks, and sustainable financial backing. In collaboration with esteemed founding partners like Ares Management Corporation, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., and Apollo Global Management, Inc. and with the support of program partners including The Wharton School, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and UNCF, we’re actively cultivating and nurturing a robust pipeline of diverse talent in the alternative investments sector. Let's join hands in celebrating the indelible contributions of women in the alternatives industry and reaffirm our commitment to empowering women in their journey toward successful careers in investing. Together, we can forge a future that is truly inclusive and equitable for all.

Impressive list of 118 impact investing orgs embedded in this Financial Times features story about the GIIN's upcoming research. It's a good source for talking to your investment advisor about how to align your retirement investments with your values to help tilt the future in the right direction. #impactinvesting

I'm thrilled to share that the Financial Times, in collaboration with The Global Impact Investing Network, has published a landmark list of over 100 impact investors. This searchable list highlights their impact assets under management and their strategic focus across key sectors and regions. This initiative is a big step for impact investing. It’s a useful resource for aligning portfolios with impactful and sustainable solutions. With the Financial Times as the platform, we’re making a significant mark in using impact investing to address the world’s most pressing issues. The list, derived from the GIIN's market data and analysis, boosts impact investing’s legitimacy, sparks conversations in the financial sector, and encourages participation in future initiatives. #ImpactInvesting #SustainableFinance #FinancialTimes #InvestingForImpact #GlobalGoals #ImpactInvestorList2024

We're pleased to see The Global Impact Investing Network and Financial Times publish an initial list of impact investors - bringing more public awareness to this rapidly scaling industry. Six of ICM's 120+ member network of best in class market-rate funds are included: Apollo Global Management, Inc. Calvert Impact Community Investment Management Rethink Capital Partners SJF Ventures Turner Impact Capital As highlighted in Amit Bouri's accompanying op-ed, skepticism about financial performance in impact investing remains a factor in the industry's growth. Our "Strengthening Outcomes: Impact and Financial Value at Exit" report showed that nearly two-thirds (65%) of impact exits met or exceeded financial expectations, based on a sample of 230 exits from ICM members, each managing a market-rate impact fund, and net average IRR of participating funds was north of 25%. "A growing body of research by ICM, the GIIN, and other leading peer networks continues to dispel myths around impact investing" - Marieke Beeuwkes Spence