Investing for Social and Environmental Impact: A design for catalysing an emerging industry

Impact investing, says this new report from the Monitor Institute, ‘has the potential to complement philanthropy and government intervention as a potent force for addressing global challenges at scale’. The report looks at how it emerged and what challenges it will face (lack of efficient intermediation, of enabling infrastructure, of sufficient capacity to absorb capital among them) in trying to achieve this potential.

Guide to Social Return on Investment

A new guide for Social Return on Investment (SROI) was launched in May at the UK government’s Social Enterprise Summit. The guide is intended to help third sector organizations articulate the social and environmental value they create and as an aid to investors and public sector commissioners.

Evaluation Kit for Trustees

Current evaluation approaches do not always generate useful information, and very often do not align with trustees’ needs. In a study funded by the James Irvine Foundation, FSG interviewed foundation trustees, CEOs and evaluation experts to produce this evaluation kit. The report includes sections on how foundation trustees view and use evaluation, a self-assessment survey for foundation trustees and a facilitator’s guide. Sections are available for download separately or as an entire toolkit.

Evaluation Kit for Trustees

Giving in the Recession

This paper explores how donors are finding imaginative ways to fund strategically during the recession. It examines the effects of the recession on philanthropy and provides ten tips for smarter giving, including working collaboratively, promoting partnerships and mergers, supporting charities’ general operations, working to influence policy change, considering a spend-down option and paying greater attention to evaluation. The report also includes six case studies of a range of individuals and institutions.

Giving in the Recession

Two new reports on non-profit mergers and alliances

Mergers and alliances can be a useful way for non-profits to move forward in difficult times but it requires active donor involvement, suggests a briefing document from Arabella Advisors and the Steans Family Foundation. The brief explores what donors should know when considering investing in mergers and alliances, and looks at some of the successes, challenges and trends involved.