ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 8: ReStore - A Self-Sustaining Revenue Model to Further Local Housing Support in Philadelphia

Many who hear “Habitat for Humanity” have some familiarity with Habitat for Humanity's affordable housing work, the phrase “a hand up, not a handout,” and President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter's the tireless commitment to the organization over years. However, few are aware of our furniture and home goods social enterprise, ReStore, that infuses dollars into our Homeownership and Home Repair Programs - two programs that provide affordable payment options, sweat equity, and volunteer labor opportunities for low-income populations that have housing needs in Philadelphia.

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 7: An Introduction to Place-Based Impact Investment

At the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, we focus on how businesses and finance can be leveraged to drive inclusive economic development. Over the last decade, we have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of investors seeking to achieve financial returns as well as measurable social or environmental impact across their investable assets. This approach to investment – generally known as “impact investing” – takes many forms across asset classes, impact sectors, industries, and geographies. And, the growth in impact investing is leading to a range of partnerships, approaches, and funding strategies.

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 6: Partnership – The Key to Future Regional Prosperity

At the Total Impact Conference in late April, The Philadelphia Foundation and Reinvestment Fund announced a joint initiative named PhilaImpact Fund. This impact investing vehicle will allow each organization’s investors to fund development projects in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The PhilaImpact Fund connects investors, philanthropists and engaged citizens with the projects, initiatives and big ideas that generate results on a local level.

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 5: Best for PHL - The City of Brotherly Love in Name and Deed

Over the past several decades, investors, economists, and business owners alike have acknowledged the need to move from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism. Research shows that Millennials seek meaningful work and investments that make money and make a difference. And since Millennials represent 50% of the global workforce and will inherit $40 trillion in the coming decades, they will shape labor and capital markets like no other generation. The existence of this trend raises important questions that B Lab's Liz Fernandes explores in this Perspectives piece.

business leaders, start-upsCory DonovanApril 4, 2018Liz Fernandes - B Lab

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 4: The Circle of Aunts & Uncles - Loans to Drive Local Community Wealth

The Circle of Aunts and Uncles is a group of 35 members that seeks to build local self-reliance by supporting, mentoring, and providing low interest loans and social capital to aspiring entrepreneurs in Philadelphia. The group has loaned out more than $100,000 since 2015 with priority given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate financial need, are from a historically marginalized population, aspire to implement eco-friendly business practices, and plan to maintain local independent ownership.

investors, start-upsCory DonovanMarch 19, 2018Judy Wicks - The Circle of Aunts & Uncles

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 3: Scaling Capital for Impact Through Fixed Income Investments

Last May, Reinvestment Fund announced a $50 million public bond offering to further its mission to build wealth and opportunity for low-income places and people. The bonds were rated AA- by S&P and represent one of the first examples of connecting CDFIs to mainstream capital markets. Demand for these bonds far exceeded expectations and the offering was oversubscribed. It was a testament to the demand among institutional investors for viable options to channel their capital towards impact, while also receiving market-rate returns.

ImpactPHL Perspectives, Volume 2: Making “Risky” Local Investments for the Common Good

There’s a collective societal consciousness that thinks of traditional stock and bond markets as prudent and safe while viewing direct investments into businesses and non-profits as risky. The Untours Foundation seeks investments with local and/or societal benefits and makes the case that perhaps the level of risk isn’t so different after all.

business leaders, investors, start-upsCory DonovanFebruary 21, 2018Elizabeth Killough - Untours Foundation

An Introduction to ImpactPHL Perspectives, Philadelphia's Role in the Global Impact Ecosystem, and Why It's So Important

Why does ImpactPHL chair John Moore feel so strongly about optimizing investments beyond financial metrics, and Philadelphia’s role as a global hub for such innovation? In volume one, he explains the perspective of ImpactPHL Perspectives.

business leaders, consumers, investors, start-upsCory DonovanFebruary 5, 2018John Moore — ImpactPHL