The Role of Philanthropy and Impact Investing in the Modern World

Social and environmental concerns have traditionally been addressed solely through charitable giving, however the impact investing market offers individuals and institutions an alternative way of advancing these concerns while still reaping financial returns.

At an early stage in their business operations, many social enterprises do not expect consistent financial returns. Their business models remain uncertain and risky.

Impact Investing

As charitable giving and government spending fall short of meeting global challenges, capital markets have an increasingly pivotal role to play. One method of harnessing this potential power for good is impact investing – one way individuals can use capital markets to address social problems both locally and worldwide.

As the field continues to advance, more emphasis is being put on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices that can contribute to financial outperformance. Furthermore, investors increasingly track their impact in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals set by governments and businesses worldwide in 2016.

Financial service companies, online investment platforms, and investor networks have made impact investing easier than ever for individuals, although supply remains limited; moreover, few advisors have expertise in both philanthropy and investment aspects of impact investing.

Social Entrepreneurship

Many high-net-worth individuals focus on social impact investments. This involves investing in businesses that address important social issues while still yielding financial returns. Similar to venture capital investing, this involves strategies such as hands-on support and board management as well as investment strategies and hands-off support from experts in various fields.

Philanthropy at its most effective is combined with a desire to help others while considering long-term growth and return. This requires long-term commitment, including strategic partnerships that promote social mobility and economic opportunity.

Some critics contend that philanthropy undermines democracy by circumventing elected governments and favoring causes that reflect wealthy individuals’ interests. Yet without it, most organizations attempting to address critical problems like global hunger or inequality would struggle for funding.

Financial Returns

Individuals who include giving in their financial plans often report experiencing greater purpose and feeling more connected to their community. Philanthropy that integrates giving with financial returns often delivers social change while creating financial return in innovative ways, including providing startup capital to social enterprises, providing microfinance loans to small business owners in developing nations, or signing pay-for-success contracts with non-government organizations (NGOs).

Increased access to socially responsible financial service companies and online investment platforms makes it easier for individual investors to identify impact investing opportunities, including early or risk capital provided through loans offered by microfinance company Grameen Bank for instance.

Some philanthropists, particularly on the right, have supported causes that are considered antidemocratic. It is imperative that mainstream philanthropists realize philanthropy should not conflict with democracy but should instead empower ordinary citizens to challenge authoritarian or overbearing governments by funding groups like parent-teacher associations, co-ops or faith organisations that address inequality while advocating on their behalf for vulnerable communities.

Risk Management

Modern philanthropy comes in many shapes and forms; cash donations, private and public debt or equity investments or real assets may all form part of its structure. Modern philanthropy also can address systemic issues of underrepresentation and exclusion in sciences, education and healthcare fields through providing solutions.

Andrew Carnegie and Art Pope (of Art Pope and Koch Brothers fame), for example, have come under criticism for using their fortune to fund projects that reflect only their personal preferences rather than society’s priorities. Other philanthropists, like Art Pope or Koch brothers have used their wealth to promote policies or ideas which are unpopular with the general public.

Impact investing involves intentionally seeking positive social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. It can help converge investment and philanthropic goals towards meeting global challenges more effectively, and facilitate social/environmental investments which would otherwise struggle to gain pure investment capital due to higher risk or uncertain return timelines.