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

NextBillion Notes is evolving: We initially created the weekly e-newsletter to allow us to curate NextBillion’s diverse content for our readers, serving up our top articles, jobs and events in an easy-to-read format. And while the newsletter still serves that purpose (successfully, we hope), it has grown to include something equally cool: free stuff!

To our pleasant surprise, many of the top thought leaders and events in social business have responded enthusiastically to the newsletter, coming forward with intriguing ideas for collaboration. As a result, we’ve been able to give away a steady stream of free gifts to NB Notes subscribers, from chapters of the latest books shaping conversation in the sector, to tickets to essential events.

For November, we’re delighted to offer both.

Free Chapter of ‘The ImpactAssets Handbook for Investors’

“The ImpactAssets Handbook for Investors,” edited by Jed Emerson, impact investing pioneer and chief impact strategist for ImpactAssets, “takes a sledgehammer to the fossilized mind-set that financial returns are all that matter,” (in the words of Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea). It also offers an “introductory overview for investors interested in generating financial returns with the creation of social and environmental impact,” according to its publisher. The handbook provides:

• Insights and approaches to developing strategy
• An understanding of the issues and considerations of impact investors in practice
• Discussions of portfolio structure and strategy
• An overview of the due diligence necessary to assess potential investments
• A discussion of communications and performance measurement issues, and other factors key to managing capital for multiple returns

Featuring contributions from some of impact investing’s leading experts, including Matthew Weatherley-White, CAPROCK Group managing director;  Stephanie Cohn-Rupp, managing director of impact investingThreshold Group; and Timothy Freundlich, ImpactAsssets president, the handbook provides readers with “both broad advice and specific guidance concerning how to become best positioned to engage in impact investing as an asset owner, both large and small.”

NextBillion is pleased to provide the introductory chapter as an exclusive offer to our newsletter readers – just subscribe to NB Notes for access (we’ll send out a link in every newsletter in November).

Free Ticket to 10th Annual Social Finance Forum – CA$600 Value

We’re also excited to announce a free ticket giveaway, to the 10th Annual Social Finance Forum. The Forum is Canada’s leading conference on impact investing and social enterprise. Staged at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District from Thursday, Nov., 9 to Friday, Nov. 10, it attracts over 400 investors, entrepreneurs and finance professionals, with a program “carefully balanced between thought-provoking keynote speakers and workshops giving real-world insights and advice.”

This year’s Forum will feature keynote presentations from Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister Of Families, Children And Social Development, Government Of Canada; Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund; and James Lee Sorenson, Chairman, Board Of Directors, Sorenson Impact Foundation, among many others. Regular tickets cost CA$600, so if you’re thinking of going (and if you’ll be in the Toronto area next week), subscribe to NB Notes and email jamesmil@umich.edu with the subject line “TICKET GIVEAWAY” – only one ticket is available, so it’s first come, first served. UPDATE: The ticket has already been claimed by a quick-responding reader. Stay tuned for future giveaways!

And if you’re an author or event organizer focused on social business, drop us a line – perhaps we can arrange for a collaboration of our own in the coming months.