March 2022 | Field News & Resources

A Forbes profile of Upstart Co-Lab and founding partner, Laura Callanan, dives into the organizations model of investing in the creative economy, which it defines as “a set of art, culture, design and innovation industries, and the economic contribution of those industries within a geographic regions.” The article also mentions Upstart Co-Lab's partnership with Mission Investors Exchange and Grantmakers in the Arts to host the Mission Investing Institute: Arts and the Creative Economy, on April 7-8.

This deep dive interview with Christine Looney, Deputy Director of Mission Investments at Ford Foundation, provides an in-depth overview of Ford Foundation's mission-related investment strategy, discusses how the practice of mission-related investing has grown in popularity among foundations over time, and notes opportunities for others to begin mission-related investing. In the interview, Christine notes the role of field building organizations, including Mission Investors Exchange, in supporting philanthropic investors.

A new report by Pacific Community Ventures, "Managing Negative Impact," summarizes the most promising practices and resources that can help companies and investors integrate negative impact management into their impact measurement and management approach, and identifies opportunities to further develop this practice

An interview with Cynthia Muller, head of mission-driven investments at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, explores the challenges faced by people of color when seeking funding, particularly in the venture capital and private equity arenas, and the opportunities for investors to address these inequities. 

Impact Alpha's Q&A with Harlan Mandel, CEO of Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), details MDIF's approach to investing to support press and media freedom, and spotlights its current investments in support of Ukraine.

In this episode of the "Better Money, Better World" podcast, Bill Orum and Michaela Edwards, partners at Capricorn, share how Capricorn's Sustainable Investment Fund is investing in native-led investment firms and general partners to accelerate the growth of mission aligned capital.

The Ford Foundation, Visa Foundation, and Fairview Capital have announced a partnership to expand financial commitment to the Fairview Foundations Emerging Managers Fund, a multi-year fund that invests in funds and direct co-investments backed by diverse and women-owned venture capital and private equity firms.

In this blog post, Richard Tate and Stephanie Gomez share how The California Wellness Foundation has worked to challenge the philanthropic sector to ensure communities receive the support they need by setting a payout policy of a minimum of 5% annually and making sure the foundation’s endowment investments align with mission and reflect their values.

Barron’s Penta explores the annual findings of ImpactAssets’ database of private-capital fund managers that invest in positive social and environmental change, providing further evidence that impact investing is a maturing sector.

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation unveiled a multi-year $700 million philanthropic campaign, for which it has already raised $500 million. This public period of the campaign will focus on raising funds to address systemic racial disparities related to housing, health, education and economic opportunity. The foundation will also work on its impact investing program, which funnels investments into projects that address social needs, create jobs and build wealth.