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Pay For Success: Can Social Impact Bonds Provide the Fabled “Win-Win-Win”?
Goldman Sachs recently made headlines by investing in a Massachusetts nonprofit that tries to keep young men out of jail. The investment was part of the largest social impact bond or "pay-for-success" effort to date in the U.S. Rick Edwards of Third Sector Capital Partners discusses the benefits and risks of the approach in part two of our Impact Investing Insights series.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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The Next Generation of Impact Investors: How millennials will shape the future of the sector
A recent ImpactAssets report explores how the millennial worldview influences the financial strategies of the next generation of investors. It draws on a variety of research as well as insight from investors. Report co-author Lindsay Norcott interviews one of those investors, Michael Sidgmore, founder of NextGenEngage and VP, Investor Network at iCapital Network.
- Categories
- Environment, Impact Assessment
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Afford Two, Eat One: A new report explores financial inclusion in rural Myanmar
Myanmar is a country with very low formal banking penetration, but changes are afoot that will stimulate domestic financial activity. In March of this year a team of Myanmar-based researchers mapped the changing financial landscape in the country, aiming to provide a foundational reference for organizations wishing to develop products and services for financially constrained consumers.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
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A Renewable Proposition (Part 1): Formerly E+Co, Persistent Energy Partners looks to solar horizon
The near collapse of E+Co as non-profit renewable energy impact investor has served as a cautionary tale throughout the impact investment community. Out of its ashes, for-profit Persistent Energy Partners emerged, and made its first acquisition late last year.
- Categories
- Energy, Impact Assessment
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NexThought Monday – Cash Transfers, Prejudice and Mental Health: MIT researchers discuss some overlooked aspects of their RCT on GiveDirectly
Cash transfers to the poor are often criticized as “handouts,” which dilute incentives to work, instill dependency, and may be wasted on alcohol, tobacco or other potentially harmful activities. But the researchers behind the recent randomized controlled trial on the cash transfer charity GiveDirectly argue that these criticisms are based on prejudice rather than fact, and that the economic impact of cash transfers is only part of the story.
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- Health Care, Impact Assessment
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Engaging Diasporas in Development Through Investment – Part 2: Calvert explores ways to facilitate migrant investment flows
Calvert Foundation explores ways to engage diasporas and migrants in international development through investment flows in their recent post, published in two parts on NextBillion. Part two discusses topics like how to appeal to younger investors, and whether social and environmental impact should play a role.
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- Impact Assessment, Investing
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Engaging Diasporas in Development Through Investment – Part 1: Calvert explores ways to facilitate migrant investment flows
There is increasing interest among development organizations and aid agencies in harnessing the financial resources of global migrants to fund development needs in their countries of origin or heritage. Calvert Foundation shares lessons learned and key issues to consider when creating a strategy to engage diasporas in investment and international development.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
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From Financial Education to Capability – A Paradigm Shift: Financial education on its own is not enough to improve consumers’ financial health
Classroom-based educational programs for improving financial health have mixed results. Improved methods that support behavior change as well as knowledge gains are needed. Sarah Gordon, Vice President, Innovation Labs at CFSI spoke with the Citi Foundation’s COO, Brandee McHale, about the importance of these new approaches, and the organizations that are pioneering them.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
