Impact Management
Frontier & Growth Markets | May 11, 2021
J.P. Morgan’s ‘development financial institution’ amps up transparency in emerging markets dealmaking
ImpactAlpha, May 11 – Development finance institutions are typically quasi-governmental agencies that invest in economic development (and soft power) in emerging and growth markets. …
ESG | May 11, 2021
ESG scorecards for countries
ImpactAlpha, May 11 – Impact investors dealing with countries flagged for social and governance concerns, such as Saudi Arabia or China, should proceed …
Impact Management | April 29, 2021
What ESG funds can learn from the shortfalls of Opportunity Zone funds
The Biden administration’s attitude towards climate change and ESG regulation has, in the words of one commentator, made ESG investing “the ultimate megatrend.” …
ESG | April 26, 2021
Sustainability is at risk when asset managers are the judge, jury and executors of the ESG agenda
Editor’s note: ImpactAlpha contributing editor Imogen Rose-Smith, a longtime senior writer for Institutional Investor, contributes a bi-weekly column on the policies, practices and …
Checkered sphere, chess board with chess pieces. 3D rendering
Impact Management | April 13, 2021
21st Century Investing: Moving from tic-tac-toe to the 3D chess of systems-level change
In what feels like a lifetime ago, way back in 2015, I was working as a consultant to investors interested in sustainability and …
Impact Management | April 13, 2021
Next-gen talent is the winner at MIINT competition and Sustainable Investing Challenge
ImpactAlpha, Apr. 13 – Sustainable investing assets have boomed amid COVID-19, the climate emergency and a racial reckoning. Now comes the rush for sustainable …
Impact Management | April 6, 2021
How capital structures in high-risk asset classes can undermine positive impact
ImpactAlpha, April, 6 – In their search for yields and returns, pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments with massive amounts …
ESG | April 1, 2021
Overheard at Phenix Capital: Making the connections between social and environmental impact
ImpactAlpha, April 1 – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls the the E.U.’s ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2050, “our …
Community Finance | March 30, 2021
Five ways that lenders can interrupt racism and provide restorative-justice capital in our communities
Can community development financial institutions be anti-racist? Don’t answer too quickly. For those familiar with the history of CDFIs, specifically created to align …
Climate Finance | March 24, 2021
Despite climate pledges, Goldman Sachs continues fracking finance
Photo by Sobrevolando Patagonia
Civic Tech | March 18, 2021
Kevin Durant is the NBA’s top scorer… for impact
ImpactAlpha, March 18 – A new tool created by impact holding company CoPeace assigns a score to athletes’ positive impacts, starting with NBA …
ESG | March 17, 2021
IFC and The GIIN release harmonized impact standards
ImpactAlpha, March 17 – As impact investing goes mainstream, the need for a common set of metrics to measure and compare companies’ impact …
ESG | March 9, 2021
Tools to help keep companies and funds accountable on climate, diversity and racial justice
ImpactAlpha, March 9 – Two-thirds of the companies in the S&P 500 made statements calling for racial justice in the aftermath of last …
Business People Meeting Design Ideas Concept
Impact Management | March 8, 2021
Why institutional investors are adding independent verification to their impact due diligence
If efficient capital allocation between asset owners and investees is the main function of investment management, then rigorous due diligence is the lifeblood …
Rachel Robasciotti and Maya Philipson
Dealflow | March 4, 2021
Abacus merges with Robasciotti & Philipson to meet client demand for social justice strategies
ImpactAlpha, Mar 4 – Abacus’ Brent Kessel and Rachel Robasciotti of Robasciotti & Philipson collaborated on Due Diligence 2.0 (see, and listen to, “The …