MIE's IMM Fall Gathering - Applying Impact Management from the Catalytic Ecosystem Leader to the Deal Level: The Special Role of the Philanthropic Investor
Join fellow MIE members for an informal virtual gathering, Applying Impact Management from Catalytic Ecosystem Leader to the Deal Level: The Special Role of the Philanthropic Investor on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 3:15-4:30 p.m. ET.
Leaders of philanthropic organizations play a special role in identifying opportunities for impact, collaborating across sectors to drive more capital for deep impact, and responsibly requesting impact data and driving more investment through evidence.
This gathering will address impact measurement and management from a variety of perspectives, from ecosystem leader down to impact measurement and management (IMM) of the specific deal.
This gathering will address impact measurement and management from a variety of perspectives, from ecosystem leader down to impact measurement and management (IMM) of the specific deal.
Whether you are just starting out or you are a program or portfolio manager of an active impact investing program, join the conversation to share insights and learn from experts with deep experience in impact investing. Consider the following framework for our discussions together and register to join us today!
Expert guests include:
- John Balbach, MacArthur Foundation, Director of Impact Investments
- Joanna Cohen, Builders Vision, Head of IMM
- Susie Lee, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Program Related Investments Officer
- Veronica Olazabal, The BHP Foundation, Chief of Impact and Evaluation
Impact Ecosystem Level
Identifying the need for catalytic capital and playing a leadership role across sectors and investor types is essential to driving large scale impact. This breakout will explore an example in which a foundation provided guarantees to unleash additional capital for impact. Questions will include:
- How does a foundation identify an opportunity for measurable impact, show up as a leader in the investment space, demand and drive measurable impact across an ecosystem as well as responsible financial returns, and engage as a field leader in catalytic investments?
Foundation Level
With more foundations increasing their commitments to impact, reassessing internal structures at foundations is critical. This breakout will dive into the integration of impact measurement across multiple departments at a foundation including impact investing and finance and investment functions. Questions will include:
- How does a foundation rid itself of the historic firewalls between Measurement & Evaluation and Program Teams across Impact Investing and Finance and Investing professionals? What are the strategies for creating a holistic approach to impact, normalizing cross-team education and processes that drive deeper and more measurable impact across the organization?
Portfolio Level
For foundations building and expanding from one impact investing tool to a broader approach (e.g., building on a PRI program to include more endowment investing), how do you build out the processes to establish, benchmark, monitor and manage the portfolio as a whole? This breakout will dive into the variations in process for investments with very different impact outcomes (e.g., PRIs versus a diverse manager initiative) and how is the data managed. Questions will include:
- How does a thematic focus for your portfolio aid the investor(s) in establishing and meeting meaningful measures and creating an enabling environment for shared investee partners? How does thematic focus drive more scalable efforts or deeper impact?
Deal Level
For specific investments, how does the investor work with intermediaries or investees to establish agreements, both internal and external, that meet impact and financial expectations? This breakout will dive into how the investor applies a specific impact framework to ensure alignment across deals. Questions will include:
- How can investors ensure that IMM efforts are worthwhile at the deal level, keeping in mind what “real” risk looks like and honoring the need for fiduciary duty? What happens when a deal doesn’t meet the impact or financial return expectations?
About IMM Gatherings
MIE IMM Gatherings are interview driven and conversational. They provide a virtual space for IMM professionals and partners of the MIE membership to build community, learn together, and share strategic and innovative practices. All participants are invited to participate, ask questions, and/or provide insight.
MIE members should log in to register for this event. Non-members and invited guests should please contact Madeline Moerk to register. If you have questions or challenges with registration or topic suggestions for future gatherings, please contact Madeline Moerk. Being on-camera and fully engaged is encouraged. Our gatherings are not recorded due to the community-building and informal nature of the calls.
