GIIN in the news Press releases

  • Getting Back More Than a Warm Feeling

    via The New York Timesby Caroline Preston

    November 07, 2012

    Summary

    The article discusses "social impact bonds," also known as "pay for success" bonds.

    From original article:

    "The bond concept has drawn interest from many government officials and some nonprofits eager for new financial support. But it has also stirred concerns among people who say the idea is impractical, ignores political realities and risks putting profits ahead of what is best for society."

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  • Impact Investing

    via Financial Timesby Usman Hayat

    November 03, 2012

    Summary

    The article explores investments made by the private sector to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

    From original article:

    "Impact investments are made to create jobs or affordable housing in low-income urban areas or to provide clean drinking water or accelerate agricultural growth in rural areas. Similarly, they may seek to improve access to education, or health services, and financial services."

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  • Impact Investing

    via Huffington Postby Luther Ragin, Jr.

    October 22, 2012

    Summary

    The GIIN's CEO reflects on the last five years of impact investing.

    From original article:

    "The last five years have generated remarkable new interest in impact investing. New investors — including diversified financial institutions, high-net-worth family offices, and pension funds — are entering the field. New business models are being developed to create financially-sustainable social and environmental solutions."

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  • Impact investing

    via Financial Timesby Sarah Murray

    October 14, 2012

    Summary

    The article covers the state of impact investing in Latin America.

    From original article:

    "For now, impact investing remains a tiny segment of overall financial market activity in Latin America.

    But many believe social and economic factors in much of the region provide fertile ground for the growth of an asset class built on investments that deliver social and environmental, as well as financial returns."

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  • Investing for Impact

    via The Huffington Postby Dr. Judith Rodin

    October 02, 2012

    Summary

    Dr. Judith Rodin of the Rockefeller Foundation discusses impact investing and future opportunities for investors.

    From original article:

    "Venture capitalists in Silicon Valley know a good opportunity when they see one. And this week, investors and entrepreneurs flocked to San Francisco's fourth annual Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) conference to explore how the invisible hand can lend a helping hand."

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  • Philanthropists Take the Measure of Doing Good

    via The New York Timesby Paul Sullivan

    September 27, 2012

    Summary

    The article gets a sense for impact investing from a variety of perspectives, including the GIIN's.

    From original article:

    "Luther Ragin Jr., chief executive of the Global Impact Investing Network, a nonprofit group that tracks and helps impact investors, said that education in the United States had been a difficult area for impact investing. But he listed other areas where it has worked. He pointed to the New York City Acquisition Fund, where foundations, banks and government agencies have come together to lend money for the construction of low-cost housing. He also cited clean energy and entrepreneurial programs."

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  • Impact investing gains ground in India

    via Business Standard

    September 19, 2012

    Summary

    The article discusses trends in impact investing in India.

    From original article: "Impact investing, which focuses on social as well as financial outcomes, is slowly gaining ground in India. With about a dozen domestic and international funds operating in this space, the segment has grown steadily over the past five years. According to a recent study by the Planning Commission, investments by these funds have crossed Rs 1,200 crore."

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  • Rockefeller's High-Impact Investment

    via Huffington Postby David Bank

    September 18, 2012

    Summary

    The Huffington Post published an article from ImpactIQ that discusses the evolution of the impact investing industry and the Rockefeller Foundation's involvement.

    From original article: "Rockefeller is seeking to 'test ways of improving investment readiness on the demand side.' That's impact industry-speak for expanding the pipeline of investment-ready ventures with management teams, business plans and the ability to scale up operations."

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  • Goldman Sachs' Foray Into Impact Investing

    via Forbesby Willy Foote

    September 17, 2012

    Summary

    Willy Foote of Root Capital provides his thoughts on Goldman Sachs' involvement in the U.S. pay-for-success scheme.

    From original article: "Kudos to Goldman Sachs for taking a step into the nascent impact investing market—whether for PR reasons, or genuine concern, or a little of both. More and more investors crave these new opportunities to put their private capital to good social use. Let's hope more Wall Street leaders put skin in the game."

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  • Social investment bank in GBP 37m deals

    via Financial Timesby Sarah Neville

    September 12, 2012

    Summary

    The article covers Big Society Capital's announcement of its initial investments, worth GBP 37m.

    From original article: "Nick O'Donohoe, chief executive, told the FT that for the first time, investors would be able to invest in a professionally-managed fund dedicated to investing in specific social outcomes. Until now, he said, people who wanted to invest in social impact bonds had had to undertake their own research and analysis before deciding where to put their money."

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  • Marrying cash and change

    via Christian Science Monitorby Evan Weaver

    August 29, 2012

    Summary

    The article surveys the state of social stock exchanges around the world.

    From original article: "A question these new exchanges have been asked is why social businesses wouldn't simply list on traditional stock exchanges. Aggregating mission-oriented businesses on a separate exchange, but one which uses the same functionality and transparent vetting process as traditional exchanges, drives down transactions costs for all, including corporate brokers, market-makers, and social impact investors. It becomes a one-stop-shop for those interested in double- and triple-bottom lines."

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  • Being Good Pays

    via The Economist

    August 17, 2012

    Summary

    The magazine notes that a scheme aiming to help keep youngsters out of jail comes to America.

    From original article:

    "A social impact bond is an experimental financing method which connects financially-stressed municipalities with private investors to fund public projects at no initial cost to taxpayers."

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