Selected Readings
May 2011 - Guide to Impact Investing - Grantmakers in Health
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) recently published the Guide to Impact Investing, which offers a framework to help funders think strategically about the potential of impact investing, part of a growing practice that incorporates environmental, social, and governance criteria into investment decisionmaking. Broadly defined as foundation financial investments that advance mission while recovering principal or earning a return, impact investments create opportunities for funders to reach a type or scale of social impact not achieved through grantmaking alone. They can serve to complement effective grantmaking and other philanthropic activity to shape, accelerate, and scale desired outcomes.
The Guide to Impact Investing provides an overview of what impact investing is and how it may enhance foundation work, steps to plan and implement an impact investing program, a spectrum of investment options, and challenges that may arise along the way. We hope it will also stimulate dialogue between grantmakers and financial professionals on how impact investing can contribute to improved health outcomes for everyone. (Download PDF)