NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Innovation is a central component of our civilization, to the extent that some do not hesitate to write that innovation will save the world.  But what is innovation? Technological prowess, and the vertiginous nature of the digital economy too often focus attention on this kind of innovation. But innovation is also economic, ecological, societal and managerial. It is the totality of these innovations that we need to take in account if we want to have a chance to construct a better future for humanity. It is for this reason that the 2017 Zermatt Summit will gather around the theme ‘Humanizing Innovation’ catalysts of solutions who will show us the extraordinary potential for innovation present in fields that often pass unnoticed, from waste recycling to the implementation of procedures where the most advanced technologies meet traditional forms of knowledge.

Concrete examples will be given by people who sometimes have extraordinary life stories which can serve as examples and give hope. Technological and digital innovation will of course not be forgotten. Three broad debates will be organized on the future of the human person, the evolution of work and of private life, and even (or above all) of human rights in this new digital world which is shaping up to be so different from what has gone before. Thus it is that we invite you to the 6th Zermatt Summit for two and a half days of exceptional quality which will, like preceding Summits, take place in the heart of the Swiss mountains.

You have been hearing the terms “impact investing” and “social enterprise” much more frequently in recent years, and this is one of the hottest issues in the nonprofit sector right now.

Impact investing—investments designed to produce both social benefits and financial returns—represents a dynamic way for nonprofits to further their mission while opening up funding opportunities from sources never before available. This trend has been fueled by opportunities to channel traditional investment capital into the nonprofit world. Facing potential funding cuts from federal, state, and local governments, as well as other challenges to traditional fundraising and sources of financial support, nonprofits are increasingly forced to diversify their revenue generation to achieve their goals.

But what does impact investing actually entail? In fact, a lot of different things—all under the “impact investing” heading. Some of it does not relate to nonprofit at all. But in this program, we will focus on the issues solely from the perspective of nonprofit organizations.

While most nonprofits have not even dipped their toe into the impact investing space, some have—including the organizations represented by our panelists—and we will discuss the wide range of cutting-edge activities being undertaken by some very innovative nonprofits. We also will discuss the ways in which a nonprofit taking on investors is a major step, one that can require a number of significant changes to the way your organization operates. But many forward-looking nonprofits have recognized that being committed to their mission does not mean having to be wedded to traditional business models.

Nonprofits offer a great opportunity for impact investors and social enterprises to generate significant benefits and results with proven, scaled, and skilled organizations that can leverage this capital and social enterprise opportunities to fulfill their missions. A number of nonprofits have already begun using for-profit practices for social good.

In this program, our panelists will discuss the leading characteristics and models of impact investments from the nonprofit perspective, legal issues relating to impact investing (including approaches to tax-related challenges such as “private benefit”), and developments in the impact space. We will explore the pros, cons, and considerations that need to be taken into account in structuring new investment vehicles and separate legal structures, as well as the key federal tax-exemption, securities law, liability, and other legal, tax, and regulatory concerns that make this area so complex and risky for nonprofits.

With a panel of three of the leading experts in the space—and their own organizations’ rich experiences to draw from—this is one program you will not want to miss.

Schedule:
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET – Networking Luncheon
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET – Program/Video Webinar

Moderator:
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq., Partner and Chair of the Nonprofit Organizations Practice, Venable LLP

Speakers:
Kamil Cook, Associate General Counsel, Corporate Services, The Nature Conservancy
Javeed Froozan, Vice President, Research Business Development & Strategic Alliances, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Tracy Kartye, Director, Social Investments, The Annie E. Casey Foundatio

The global ethical finance industry constitutes approximately USD 22.89 trillion worth of assets under management, an increase of 25% from 2014. However, this is seen in institutions and assets within developed markets.

Ethical finance is on track to developing its global value proposition. However, catalyzing the wider adoption requires concerted efforts to build meaningful dialogue between the two main areas of ethical finance: one segment that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and Islamic finance which is expected to rise from USD 2 trillion to USD 3.5 trillion by 2021.

There is a unique opportunity for ethical finance players in developed markets to connect with the Islamic/faith-based financial sector which enjoys a strong foothold in Muslim-majority emerging markets.

This year’s BAM Conference will bring together hundreds of business professionals and thought leaders from around the world who are eager to learn how to reconcile their faith and work. With the theme “Bridging the Gap”, the three-day event will close the divide between where you are now and where you want to be, and equip you to use your God-given skills to make an impact through business.

Join us as we share insights, stories and tools that will fuel your business as mission journey.

The 2017 BAM Conference will be the 7th event held in the USA by BAM Training.

The GIIN and The Abraaj Group welcome you to New York City for a senior-level impact investor gathering, held alongside the UN General Assembly. Join fellow industry leaders to advance the impact investing industry and tackle key issues, such as:

• Advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals;
  • Workshopping emerging fit-for-purpose investment models;
  • Creating best practices in the use of blended finance; and
  • Attracting new players to the impact investing market.

Formal agenda and registration information to follow. For more information, please email pmurphy@thegiin.org.

*The GIIN is also hosting a European Member event in Zurich on December 7-8, 2017. Stay tuned for more information or emailjscott@thegiin.org with inquiries.

Join us for the 3rd Sankalp Southeast Asia Summit in Jakarta – a highly engaging platform that aims to strengthen Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Every year, the Summit brings together 500+ global and regional players including entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, governments and funders with the purpose of facilitating connections, collective learning and a collaborative approach towards an inclusive economy. Premised on the insight that sustainable entrepreneurship can catalyze inclusive development, this 3rd edition will bring together over 600 global and regional delegates to ponder on the theme “Local Problems, Global Solutions”.

Don’t miss out on your chance to network, share, learn, inspire and get inspired!