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Viewpoint: No Blank Check for Development Banks
The kind of large-scale, sustainable infrastructure projects needed to forestall catastrophic climate change are rarely attractive investments for the private sector or even most governments. That means development banks have a crucial role to play, so long as they put the climate first.
- Categories
- Environment
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The Downside to Being Nice: Why is the Social Sector Allergic to Comparative Advertising?
Unlike retailers and manufacturers that use advertising to build their brands and generate sales, the nonprofit and social business sectors are curiously allergic to spending money on advertising – and, more specifically, to saying, "We're better than our competitors, and this is why!" According to Charlie Bresler, former Men's Wearhouse president, this is a major mistake: Now executive director of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, Bresler explores the reasons for this reluctance – and imagines what could happen if the social sector used comparative advertising to attract donors and investors.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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MetLife Foundation Awards $2.5 Million Grant to The Financial Clinic to Bring Financial Security to Jobseekers Nationally
The Financial Clinic (the Clinic) announced April 11 the launch of WorkBOOST National, a three-year initiative that will bring financial security approaches to scale, made possible by a $2.5 million grant from MetLife Foundation.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
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It’s Bigger than Silicon Valley – But is it Right for You?: Assessing a Move to Impact Investing
It may surprise you to learn that social enterprises now account for 3 to 5 percent of the U.S. GDP – twice as much as Silicon Valley. That's why the rapidly growing impact investing market represents a significant opportunity for forward-thinking investors. But according to Chintan Panchal of investment firm RPCK, new investors must navigate a complex web of unfamiliar metrics, regulations and strategies. To that end, he offers five questions and themes to consider before closing any impact investment deal.
- Categories
- Investing
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Concern Worldwide, Trickle Up and MetLife Foundation to support ultra poor women in Bangladesh
The program aims to support 600 families through an adapted graduation approach and increase access and usage of financial services for 12,400 women.
- Region
- South Asia
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Bandhan-Konnagar expected to get Rs900 crore from World Bank, 3 states
The World Bank, governments of Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand to fund Bandhan-Konnagar’s programme for poverty alleviation to benefit at least 300,000 families.
- Region
- South Asia
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Bending the Arc of Humanity – Effective Development of Exponential Technologies to Serve Mankind
Exponential technologies such as big data, the internet of things and artificial intelligence can transform lives in poor countries. But Akhtar Badshah – who led Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts for 10 years – highlights some risks alongside that potential. The main question, he says, is how to bridge the gap between those who quickly benefit from these technologies, and those who are left behind.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology
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No One Should be ‘Scared to Live too Long’ – Innovating Insurance for the Elderly
After a chilling conversation with his family housekeeper about her fear of "living too long" and becoming a burden on her family, Tyron Fouche was inspired to start Nobuntu, an insurance plan for low-income South Africans. Combining an ancient risk-sharing design with modern tools like chatbots and biometric tech, the plan offers customers an income that actually increases as they get older. Fouche discusses Nobuntu's innovative model – and the big challenges it faces – in the latest post in NextBillion’s "Startup Showcase" series.
- Categories
- Finance, Social Enterprise
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