GIIN in the news Press releases

  • LeapFrog raises $400 million for social impact investments in Asia, Africa

    via Reutersby Swati Pandey

    September 07, 2014

    Summary

    LeapFrog Investments, a private equity firm backed by George Soros and JP Morgan, has raised $400 million for socially responsible investments in Asia and Africa—the largest ever for a fund specializing in low-income emerging market financial services.

    From original article:

    "The new fund will typically make equity investments of $10 million to $50 million in LeapFrog’s priority markets of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka..."

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  • Investing to Make a Difference Is Gaining Ground

    via The New York Timesby Paul Sullivan

    September 04, 2014

    Summary

    NYTimes reporter Paul Sullivan covers the increasing interest and activity around impact investing, highlighting the involvement of the Keller family foundation, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and others.

    From original article:

    "But interest in impact investing, which has been around for more than a decade, is growing and changing. According to the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, some $3.74 trillion, or 11 percent, of total United States assets under management were placed in sustainable investments in 2012. This was a fivefold increase from 1995."

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  • Peterborough prison social impact bond pilot fails to hit target to trigger repayments

    via Third Sectorby Susannah Birkwood

    August 05, 2014

  • California and Mexico sign pact to fight climate change

    via Reutersby Rory Carroll

    July 28, 2014

  • Lenders Offer Low-Cost Services for the Unbanked

    via NYT DealBookby Michael Corkery, Jessica Silver-greenberg

    July 21, 2014

  • USAID, Pope Francis, And Impact Investing

    via Forbesby Rahim Kanani

    July 10, 2014

    Summary

    In an interview with Forbes contributor Rahim Kanani, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, reflects upon his participation at the impact investing conference at the Vatican and the power of private capital to fight global poverty.

    From original article:

    "We’re partnering with engines of American innovation—corporations, foundations, and faith-based communities—to help nations build market-based economies and democratic societies connected to our own. Thirty years ago, 80% of the capital that came into the developing world was from government assistance. Today, the opposite is true. Over 80% of the capital entering the developing world comes from private sources. It has never been more important than it is today to harness the power of private capital in support of social good."

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  • What’s next for impact investing

    via Devex Impactby Avda Saldinger

    July 08, 2014

    Summary

    In this Devex article, reporter Adva Saldinger discusses a shifting and growing impact investing market. Looking forward, Saldinger highlights the role that specific GIIN efforts can play in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of impact investing.

    From original article:

    “There has been a shift from strong headwinds to tailwinds in regards to interest, but that hasn’t translated into significant meaningful capital being deployed,” Sonen Capital CEO Raul Pomares noted in an interview with Devex. Several in the field share that sentiment that critical challenges — mainly around definitions, measurement and proven track records — and outsized expectations are restraining some potential.”

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  • Social Impact Bonds Go to Washington

    via Forbesby Carrie Sheffield

    June 29, 2014

    Summary

    In June 2014, the Social Impact Bond Act was introduced in Congress. The bipartisan bill would allow the Treasury to reimburse only those social betterment projects that achieve their targeted outcomes. Further, the bill would create a Federal Interagency Council on SIBs. Members would come from 10 government agencies and departments and would be chaired by a member of the Office of White House Policy.

    From original article:

    “SIBs are a better fit for human nature than guaranteed government appropriations since they tap into incentives. No results, no money. Should this federal endeavor–right now capped at $300 million–prove successful, it could be the tipping point for a wave of more SIBs..”

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  • Impact investing on the cusp of mainstream wealth management

    via Investment Newsby William Burckart

    June 28, 2014

    Summary

    William Burckart, the managing director of Impact Economy (North America), discusses the state and prominence of impact investing.

    From original article:

    "Advisers who don't believe impact investing will play a meaningful role in their own client strategies aren't seeing the writing on the wall. Investing for meaningful impact will become part of mainstream planning and, in fact, will be the core portfolio for many next-generation investors who stand to inherit upwards of $41 trillion in baby boomer wealth."

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  • What's Holding Back Impact Investing?

    via Fast Companyby Jessica Leber

    June 24, 2014

  • Pope praises ‘impact investing’

    via Catholic Culture

    June 16, 2014

  • Family Offices Among Pioneers of Impact Investing

    via Campden FBby Jessica Tasman-Jones

    June 12, 2014