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Faster, Lighter Touch and Group-based: A Different Approach to Poverty Graduation
The poverty graduation model has continued to show great promise in helping ultra-poor people develop sustainable livelihoods. But Dianne Calvi of Village Enterprise points out that those programs, as currently practiced, are often too expensive to scale. In advocating a more streamlined approach to poverty graduation, Calvi reveals key findings from a randomized control trial involving some of the poorest households across 138 villages in rural Uganda.
- Categories
- Investing
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Perspective: Why the long-term viability of social enterprises is important
To become financially viable in the long term, all types of businesses—whether traditional ones or social enterprises—rely on sustainable strategies that will translate to profit. But these are not possible without some level of profit, the main demarcation between a purely charitable organization and a community-oriented enterprise.
- Categories
- Investing
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Why Women are Key to the Next Wave of Impact Investing
Why aren't more women and minorities represented in angel and venture capital investing? It’s a vexing question Alicia Robb is addressing.
- Categories
- Investing
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Here’s How to Play Matchmaker to Social + Business Metrics ‘Power Couples’
For many businesses and organizations, the idea of measuring their impact can be scary, elusive or just plain boring. But pairing social and business metrics "power couples" can give organizations unique insights to solve key business challenges. In a new report, the William Davidson Institute shares the results of its work with three organizations to demystify data collection of their social impacts. Rebecca Baylor of WDI writes that the team's work proves impact measurement doesn't have to be as hard as it may seem.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Social Enterprise
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Better Neighborhood, Better Life: What Research Shows About Investments in Equitable Development
Research shows that a child's neighborhood impacts professional outcomes and earnings, and that environment plays a role in exacerbating racial inequality. That's why JPMorgan Chase is working with lenders across the U.S. on a new approach to community development – one focused on neighborhood revitalization. Colleen Briggs discusses Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods, a $125 million, five-year capital commitment to help communities fuel economic growth.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment
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Swiss PE Partners Group launches debut impact fund with $1b hard cap
“In terms of size of investments, in line with typical PG deal sizes, it would be a $100 million to $1 billion total equity cheque from Partners Group – managed funds and/or a $200 million to $2 billion enterprise value. PG LIFE will invest alongside other Partners Group funds,” a spokesperson from the private equity firm told DEALSTREETASIA.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Tackling Poverty Close to Home: Why Acumen is Boosting Financial Health in the U.S.
More than 40 million Americans live below the poverty line, and a majority live paycheck to paycheck. That's why, after nearly two decades and over $110 million of impact investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Acumen has expanded its focus to include the United States. Amon Anderson and Sarah Willis discuss how Acumen America, through its financial inclusion portfolio supported by MetLife Foundation, aims to build a future where low-income Americans enjoy stability, protection and prosperity.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Impact investor Quona Capital plans to raise $150-200 million Fund III
While fintech remains the broader theme for Quona going forward, the company plans to broadbase its investment portfolio across sectors that can leverage fintech to deliver everyday needs in areas such as education, healthcare and insurance and small business.
- Region
- South Asia