Publications

In this piece written for ImpactAlpha, Bridgespan partners Stephanie Kater and Devin Murphy, and contributing authors Simon Stephanos and Andrew Key, discuss ways that patient capital can unlock lost potential in midst of the US racial wealth chasm.

Contrary to what they might assume, individual and family-office impact investors can make a real difference in combating climate change. Their impact can also be catalytic—if they are willing to take some risks and forgo market-rate returns. Pioneering impact-first investors are showing the way. 

African fund managers face unique obstacles that impede their access to capital for social impact. Given their lived experience, networks, and access to opportunities, they are well placed to deploy impact capital on the continent. Bridgespan Africa’s new research surfaces ways that “first-mover” investors can back African fund managers with confidence while also achieving financial goals.

Since the Dobbs ruling, private investors and philanthropic organizations have stepped up their pursuit of mission-driven impact investments in reproductive care enterprises, especially those serving systemically underserved individuals and communities. This research identifies opportunities for timely impact investments in the reproductive field as a complement to existing philanthropic funding.

Highlights three areas where the potential exists for impact-oriented investors to make a difference in healthcare. 

Three areas—edtech, early childhood, and income-share agreements—provide promising investment opportunities for impact investors interested in the education sector.

In the financial services sector, investments made in initiatives that operate in areas with limited access to financial services and bring new people into banking systems hold promise for high potential impact. 

This series of short articles, drawn from our due diligence work for over 1,200 potential impact investments, explores best practices, themes, and trends we’ve observed across several sectors.

Investing in smallholder farmers and solutions to store carbon are just two ways impact investors are advancing social and environmental progress through the food and ag sector.

While both impact investing and ESG investing can deliver compelling financial returns, there are some key differences between the two. Understanding these can help impact investors make better investment decisions and avoid “impact washing.”

Impact investing has boomed over the past decade, driven by the ethos that financial performance goes hand-in-hand with social and environmental impact. But more wealth holders now see the value of putting impact before investment, and prioritizing people and planet.

Philanthropy can bring its whole self to work with an impact investing mindset that expands horizons beyond grantmaking alone. Imagine what more foundations could achieve—from community development, to racial equity, to climate change mitigation—by supplying loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments for social good.

How to put evidence center stage when deploying capital in pursuit of impact.

Impact investors have a critical opportunity to help their portfolio companies navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Here are three concrete steps you can take to support and safeguard the impact of your portfolio companies now and in the future.