GIIN in the news Press releases

  • Two New Social Impact Bond-Style Investments Launched

    via Third Sectorby David Ainsworth

    January 23, 2012

    Summary

    Third Sector reports that the social impact bond model will be used in at least two of six payment-by-results schemes being launched with the backing of the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK.

    From original article:

    "The Department for Work and Pensions is supporting the schemes with its GBP 30m Innovation Fund, set up to attract private investment to tackle the problems faced by disadvantaged young people.

    Under the the social impact bond model, investors will fund charities to carry out work with young people, and will be paid according to the success of those charities."

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  • Green Bond Bankers in Japan, Sweden Beat U.S. to USD 7 Billion

    via Bloombergby Sally Bakewell

    January 23, 2012

    Summary

    Bloomberg reports that Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken and Daiwa Securities Group have underwritten the most green bonds since the securities were first issued in 2007, indicating the dominance of Swedish and Japanese banks in the market.

    From original article:

    "Five of the 10 top underwriters on about USD 7 billion of the bonds issued by international finance institutions were drawn from Sweden and Japan, according to a ranking by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. London-based HSBC Bank and JPMorgan Chase of New York took third and fourth place."

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  • Oxfam Moves Into Fund World

    via Financial Timesby Sophia Grene

    January 21, 2012

    Summary

    Financial Times covers the launch of a new impact investment fund by Oxfam in a joint initiative with Symbiotics, a Swiss microfinance specialist.

    From original article:

    "Oxfam, the anti-poverty charity, is branching out into asset management by launching its first investment fund, which will aim to combine social good with financial returns. The Small Enterprise Impact Investment Fund will invest in financial intermediaries with a mandate to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa and Asia."

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  • A New Approach to Funding Social Enterprise

    via Harvard Business Reviewby Antony Bugg-levine, Bruce Kogut, Nalin Kulatilaka

    January 13, 2012

    Summary

    The article discusses how unbundling societal benefits and financial returns can increase investment in social enterprise.

    From original article:

    "The lack of funding opportunities is one of the major disadvantages social enterprises face. A conventional business can use its balance sheet and business plan to offer different combinations of risk and return to many different types of investors: equity investors, banks, bond funds, venture capitalists, and so on. Not so for many social enterprises-but that is changing. An increasing number of social entrepreneurs and investors are coming to realize that social enterprises of all sorts can also generate financial returns that will make them attractive to the right investors. This realization will dramatically increase the amount of capital available to these organizations."

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  • Meet Tony Elumelu, Africa's Frontline Business Leader

    via Forbesby Mfonobong Nsehe

    January 08, 2012

    Summary

    Forbes profiles Tony Elumelu, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a GIIN Investors' Council Member.

    From original article:

    "Africapitalism. It's a word you've probably never heard before - but it's an idea that is likely to burst onto center stage in 2012 as Africa maintains its upward spiral towards economic growth and significance. According to Tony Elumelu, the Nigerian-born banker who coined the term, Africapitalism is an 'economic philosophy that embodies the African private sector's commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investments that create economic prosperity and social wealth.'"

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  • NCB Capital Impact

    via Forbesby Rahim Kanani

    January 07, 2012

    Summary

    Rahim Kanani of Forbes interviews Annie Donovan, Chief Operating Officer of NCB Capital Impact, a Community Development Financial Institution.

    From original article:

    "There are lots of opportunities in front of us. On the capital front, the world is beginning to better understand the work we do. The term "impact investing" is gaining currency. A Global Impact Investment Network (GIIN) survey forecasts the impact investment market in 2012 to be USD 3.8 billion. Those of us in the domestic segment of the market are positioned to make ourselves better known and attract this new investor class to our work."

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  • B Corps

    via The Economist

    January 06, 2012

    Summary

    The Economist published an article on B Corps, featuring Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard.

    From original article:

    "To qualify as a B Corp, a firm must have an explicit social or environmental mission, and a legally binding fiduciary responsibility to take into account the interests of workers, the community and the environment as well as its shareholders. It must also publish independently verified reports on its social and environmental impact alongside its financial results. Other than that, it can go about business as usual."

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  • Case Studies

    via Financial Timesby James Lamont

    December 21, 2011

    Summary

    The Financial Times features an article on investing in the base of the pyramid.

    From original article:

    "Dfid’s role models for its new private sector approach in India include the US-based Acumen Fund, part of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, the US Rockefeller Foundation and Mumbai-based Aavishkaar Investment."

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  • Former Deutsche Bank Head of Private Wealth Management on Impact Investing

    via Forbesby Rahim Kanani

    December 13, 2011

    Summary

    A Forbes interview with Gloria Nelund, Chairman and CEO of TriLinc Global, a private investment company dedicated to creating a global platform for impact investing through alternative investment funds.

    From original article:

    "With the launch of a USD 1.25 billion Global Impact Fund for "mainstreet" retail investors, TriLinc will help businesses in developing countries create jobs, grow the middle class and generate measurable positive impact."

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  • Can Venture Capital Save the World?

    via Forbesby Helen Coster

    November 29, 2011

    Summary

    Forbes features a cover story on Jacqueline Novogratz of the Acumen Fund.

    From original article:

    "Instead of shoveling aid dollars to causes or governments that give away life-sustaining goods and services, Acumen espouses investing money wisely in small-time entrepreneurs in the developing world who strive to solve problems, from mosquito netting to bottled water to affordable housing. It's a new twist on the old adage about teaching a man to fish, except that Novogratz wants to build an entire fish market."

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  • Impact Investors Earn More Than Good Karma

    via MarketWatchby Thomas Kostigen

    November 27, 2011

    Summary

    Commentary from MarketWatch on impact investing and data from the GIIN's first

    IRIS Data Report.

    From original article:

    "The majority of small, social enterprises aimed at doing good in the developing world are profitable, according to a new report by the Global Impact Investing Network."

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  • Ask the Experts

    via Americas Quarterlyby Amit Bouri Et. Al

    November 16, 2011

    Summary

    Americas Quarterly interviews impact investing professionals, including the GIIN's Amit Bouri, to discuss the effectiveness of impact investment as a tool to reduce poverty.

    From original article:

    "Increasingly, for-profit investment capital is being used to provide critical goods and services to poor people, including quality health care, clean water, education, affordable clean energy, and financial services. Individual investors, large-scale financial institutions, private foundations, retirement fund managers, and wealth advisors are among those allocating capital for impact investments."

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