Innovate Leverage GrowMarch 2012
In This Issue
Job Opportunity 

Education and Training Manager, PRI Makers Network

 


Join the Network

Greetings!    Peter Berliner

 

Assessment of program impact is essential to building a successful PRI program. Without it, investments will likely be measured solely on financial performance. With the benefit of clear objectives and attention to results, foundations are more likely to sustain their commitment to provide patient or risk capital to address social needs. In Impact Capital Measurement, Melinda Tuan describes how five foundations approach measuring social impact and a number of practical tools for tracking and reporting results. Ms. Tuan's findings will be explored in depth at an extended workshop at our national conference in May.  

   

Peter Berliner, Managing Director, PRI Makers Network

David WoodFoundations have been champions of community investing (CI) for decades, using grants to build capacity in investment intermediaries, supporting CDFIs and other institutions with PRIs, and investing in market rate fixed income and real estate funds that target underserved communities. In many ways, CI is the most developed sector of the mission investment field. At the Initiative for Responsible Investment, we are currently working on two related projects on the future of CI in the United States. Both projects look beyond the field as it is, to how it might grow. Read more...

     

David Wood, Director, More for Mission

SCnominationAccepting Steering Committee Nominations
The joint PRI Makers Network and More for Mission is in the process of adding new members to its Steering Committee! We seek leaders who represent the full spectrum of mission investing, including PRIs and MRIs. If you would like to suggest a candidate, please contact us. Click here for a list of current steering committee members and their role in the Network.
IntheNewsIn the News
The Fund's ROC-NH program helps residents of manufactured-housing parks come together to buy the land under their houses, providing loans, training, and technical assistance to convert the parks into cooperatives owned and governed by their residents. 

The Foundation's PRI to the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (iCast) will provide energy efficiency upgrades to Colorado nonprofit organizations through the launch of iCast's news program, ResourceSmart for Non-Profits.

Prudential Foundation Creates Newark Investment Fund
The Prudential Foundation approved a $3 million social investment to create the Newark Investment Fund, to help create healthy and thriving neighborhoods. Newark was one of five cities selected for the Living Cities Integration Initiative to receive $15 million in grants, PRIs and commercial loans.

The McKnight Foundation's PRI to The Conservation Fund has helped conserve and preserve the largest contiguous tract of wetland forest remaining in the lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. The PRI supported the purchase of nearly 30,000 acres and will ensure that the acreage remains undeveloped and continues to provide inland coastal protection to adjacent communities.

The Trust has combined a grant of $100,000 with a $500,000 PRI to enable Morrison Child and Family Services to refinance the purchase and renovation of its building to make it possible to consolidate its programs and improve services to children and families.

The Council on Foundations reports that the Internal Revenue Service expects to publish additional examples to illustrate a wider range of investments that qualify as PRIs. The guidance will not change the definition of charitable purpose in any new ways. 
UpcomingNetworkEventsUpcoming Network Events

Regional Members Meeting: The Future of Social Finance

March 28  

Seattle, WA  

Join us at our offices with David Wood, who will bring us up to date on the intersection of mission investing, community development, and public policy. We will also provide a preview of our new, integrated organization that will launch at our national conference in May (see below). This gathering is open to members of the PRI Makers Network and Philanthropy Northwest.   

 

Investing for Impact:

2012 National Conference

May 8 - 10, 2012registration

Seattle Waterfront Marriott Hotel 

  

Join us in Seattle to connect with 300 peers committed to mission investing - see who's attending! Learn from colleagues, share your experiences, and build your mission investing program through workshops covering skill-building, investment strategies, innovations in the field, and discussions for advanced and emerging thought leaders. Whether you are not yet making investments or are an experienced investor, the conference has something for you! 

 

Many thanks to our sponsors for their support. 

 

Updated Conference Chair Image 2012

NewattheNetworkNew at the Network

Welcome New Members!

Our membership continues to grow in anticipation of the launch of our integration with More for Mission at our May conference. If your organization is not yet a member, join today! We are pleased to welcome the following new members:

 

Circle of Service Foundation of Northfield, IL supports organizations that enhance community, opportunity and well-being in the areas of community service, education, Jewish community and medical research.

 Greater Tacoma Community Foundation of WA is committed to helping build a stronger future for the Pierce County region.   


Maine Community Foundation is a philanthropic leader in building sustainable and vibrant communities for the people of Maine.

 

Northwest Health Foundation seeks to advance, support and promote the health of the people of Oregon and southwest Washington.

  

Saint Ignatius High School of Cleveland, OH is a Jesuit preparatory school exploring the possible use of real estate mission investments in their endowment.

 

Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a comprehensive center for philanthropy that inspires greater civic participation throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

 

We are also pleased to welcome the following Affiliate members:

 

Adler & Colvin, a law firm serving tax-exempt organizations and individual philanthropists.

 

Baldwin Brothers Inc., an an independent financial advisory firm with over $800 million in assets under management.


Community Capital Management, a fixed income investment adviser and the registered investment adviser to the CRA Qualified Investment Fund.


DBL Investors, a double bottom line venture capital investment firm.


Global Partnerships, a nonprofit social investor whose mission is to expand opportunity for people living in poverty.

 

Jackson-Martin, an impact investment consulting firm based in Canada.

 

The Nature Conservancy, a conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

 

Northwest Community Capital Fund, a real estate underwriting intermediary providing community capital and technical assistance to distressed communities throughout Oregon and Washington.
ArticleofInterestResource of Interest
The newly released report, "United States Building Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Market Sizing and Financing Models" by Rockefeller and Deutsche Bank's climate change investment and research business, DB Climate Change Advisors, examines the potential size and social and environmental impact of investment opportunities for upgrading and replacing energy-consuming equipment in U.S. real estate. 
EventsEvent of Interest

 

List Bullet

SAFSF 10th Anniversary Forum: Bounty for All?

June 19- 21

Santa Barbara, CA  
The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) invites you to its 10th Anniversary Forum where they will reflect upon progress over the last decade and look to future challenges and opportunities. Using the California food system as a microcosm of our global food system, Forum participants will explore inequities around issues of water, environmental health and labor.
Peter Berliner, Managing Director, PRI Makers Network
David Wood, Director, More for Mission