November 2023: Upcoming MIE events, The California Endowment releases impact investing report, and more field news

The Mission Investors Exchange (MIE) 2024 National Conference will take center stage in the world of impact investing from May 7-9 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, with conference registration now open to our members and non-member foundations. We invite you to join us as we hear from leading voices, learn from the local community, and explore the latest deals and trends shaping the future of the field. MIE members can access discounted early registration pricing now through Jan. 19, 2024.

Join us at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE to maximize your conference time, network on breaks and after sessions, and catch offsite sessions around the city. Reserve now to receive our reduced block rate.

10:30-11:45 a.m. PST / 1:30-2:45 p.m. EST
Wednesday, Dec. 13

Join us for an Open Mic on Investing in Climate Equity to discuss how impact investors can support climate adaptation solutions that enhance resilience in vulnerable communities. This session, featuring insights from Visa Foundation and Blue Orchard/Schroders, will explore why:

• The effects of climate change are most heavily borne by vulnerable, lower income communities in developing economies. And, every year, millions of people are pushed into poverty by the impacts of natural and climate-related disasters.
• We must consider climate equity as a critical manifestation of economic, social and gender equity.
• Climate adaptation investment is vital. As one example, climate insurance aims at protecting the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities from the impacts of climate disruptions, safeguarding economic development and poverty reduction efforts.
• While it is no replacement for the efforts required to tackle the climate crisis, investing in climate adaptation such as climate insurance can increase social resilience and communities’ ability to recover faster.

Open Mics serve as a platform for MIE members to collaboratively explore impactful ideas and respond to urgent crises, fostering an environment of swift action, diverse perspectives, and shared resources.

MIE members should log in to register for the events above. If you are not a member of MIE and would like to attend, please inquire at [email protected]. If there are additional topics that you would like to cover, please email Zineb Touzani or Melanie Audette. 

Building Trust & Equity: What The California Endowment Has Learned from Over a Decade of Impact Investing
Released during MIE’s Mission Investing Institute in Los Angeles earlier this month, this meticulous retrospective analysis details The California Endowment's impact investing journey of nearly 25 years. Over time, the organization has strategically utilized its investment assets and an aligned grant portfolio to support an environment of lasting progress in health and racial equity for the communities it serves. By prioritizing community empowerment and trust and cultivating an internal culture of learning and innovation, The Endowment provides a thoughtful case study and roadmap for philanthropic asset owners interested in advancing their own impact investing practice.​​​​​

Colorado foundations back Social Finance’s fund to upskill local workers
Nov. 2, Impact Alpha

Kresge bolsters community investment ecosystem with $7M for Community Investment Guarantee Pool
Nov. 15, The Kresge Foundation

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announces impact investing program, up to $5 million available with February 13, 2024 proposal deadline
Nov. 20, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities

MIE is looking for motivated candidates for the following roles: 

• Director/Senior Director, Program Content
• Associate, Communications and Marketing

Mission Investing Institute: In-Person Sessions
In early November, MIE and our partners successfully executed the 2023 Mission Investing Institute in-person sessions in Los Angeles with more than 100 attendees and distinguished guests. As our signature introductory learning program, the Institute helps philanthropy professionals get started in impact investing or advance their practice. Participants learned from leading impact investing professionals, networked with industry peers, and gained insights from fellow philanthropy and finance professionals. The program covered a range of topics, such as defining impact investing and key terms, understanding investment approaches, designing and implementing an impact investing portfolio, sourcing and underwriting investments, financially monitoring a portfolio, and measuring social impact.

Deep Dive on Deals Recap: Erie Community Foundation
“Our investments are used as examples in hopes that other people will come in and copy us. Demonstrating success through putting money into a community means that other institutional money will come in and continue the mission.” -Jonathan Tower, Arctaris Impact Investors 

This kind of chain reaction was just one of the key takeaways from MIE’s recent two-part Virtual Learning Opportunity (VLO) highlighting the Erie Community Foundation as part of our “Deep Dive on Deals” series. The Erie Community Foundation linked arms with hospitals, universities, and philanthropists to create a $27 million dollar equity fund to reinvest in the downtown corridor of Erie. Practitioners from all sides of this deal shared helpful knowledge on clustering community development, completing due diligence, and public-private partnerships. Thanks to all who participated, especially our incredible speakers Mike Batchelor (Erie Community Foundation), Drew Whiting (Erie Downtown Development Corporation), and Jonathan Tower & Patrick Mullen (Arctaris Impact Investors).