Apply a racial lens, and other lessons from Living Cities’ impact investments

Investing in economic security... Living Cities has deployed $57 million into 33 transactions from two structured debt funds to drive outcomes for low-income people in America.
In a new series with ImpactAlpha... Living Cities will explore how foundations and financial institutions can deploy capital to better create jobs, income and wealth in America’s cities.
First up... the biggest lessons from Living Cities’ 10 years of impact investing.

Eight organizations share £2.1 million to train the UK workforce

Winners included... Open University for its online network engineering program and Bridgwater & Taunton College for its real and virtual reality “workplace simulations” for nuclear power station workers.
Other recipients included... non-profit National Numeracy, which helps adults build everyday math skills and consultancy Sara Dunn Associates for a care worker “micro-learning” initiative.

Philadelphia’s poised for another championship: Civic revival and inclusive prosperity

Philadelphia... is one four cities selected for an identity makeover as part of the “Global Cities Initiative” from JPMorgan Chase and the Brookings Institute.

Already... the city is among the best U.S. cities for women in tech, top cities to start a social enterprise and a finalist for Amazon’s new headquarters.
Seeking... more differentiation, visibility, and recognition to compete for business and talent.

How community foundations can unlock the possibilities of place-based impact investing

ImpactAlpha, April 12 – Place-based impact investing is about partnerships, best implemented when regional funders work together to solve complex challenges in the place they call home. Some of the most valuable stakeholders in this work are community foundations, organizations that work every day to create positive outcomes for their region. Sometimes called “community fairy

“Sapphire” fund invests $7.5 million in Southern Bancorp

More than a bank… Southern Bancorp serves low-income families with traditional banking services.
Emerged markets… SFRE Fund has committed $44 million since 2015 to “values-aligned” banks.

Holberton School raises $8.2 million for ‘pay it forward’ tech training model

Holberton’s Series A round… was led by Daphni and Trinity Ventures, joined by Omidyar Network and previous investors.

JPMorgan adds $2.5 million to Ascend 2020 program

Program participants include... Uli’s Famous Sausage, which secured a credit-union loan based on an improved business plan; and Miss Marjorie's Plantain Chips, owned by Jamaican immigrant Donna Moodie.
Ascend 2020 has helped... 140 businesses secure $5 million in contracts and $3 million in investment capital.