Successful Opportunity Zone investments will pull people up, not push them out

"Many Opportunity Zone investors may not be so responsive to their communities, and will instead seek to change the character of a neighborhood by building luxury apartments or destination retail," writes Turner Impact Capital's Bobby Turner. "Fulfilling the spirit of the Opportunity Zone ideal means pulling people up, not pushing people out.

Zimbabwean business mogul launches $100 million loan fund for rural entrepreneurs

The Masiyiwa Rural Challenge Fund will originate loans of $1,000 to $10,000 to businesses based in or serving rural areas in Zimbabwe.

Tugende secures $5M loan from PG Impact Investments for lease-to-own motorbike taxi

Tugende’s mission is to improve asset ownership, boost drivers’ incomes, and improve road safety by offering driver safety instruction and insurance.

Prudential commits $100 million to narrow the racial wealth gap in Memphis, New Orleans and Atlanta

Place-based, blended finance through a racial lens. A $100 million commitment from Prudential Financial is a trifecta of impact investing trends.

Blockchain in action for social and civic impact

"Blockchain isn’t a replacement for or a shortcut to building trust," write the New America authors. “It is a trust accelerator, giving individuals and organizations a head start in cultivating solid relationships, built on a foundation of security, accountability, and transparency.”

Boston Ujima Project is rebalancing risk, returns and power in local impact investing

ImpactAlpha, January 23 – A growing group of impact investors is distinguishing itself not simply by results of their investments, but how they are changing investing itself. The Boston Ujima Project, for example, allows community members to invest, prioritize the types of neighborhood businesses needed and vote on what gets funded. For the neighborhood investment collective,

Prudential’s first Opportunity Zone investment is a mixed-use project in Baltimore

The mixed-use project, called Yard 56, is being built on the 20-acre former site of glass and porcelain manufacturer Pemco International’s factory.