The State of Impact Investing in Colorado and Beyond

Thursday, November 18, 2021, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Impact investing describes the array of investment strategies that intend to integrate environmental, social, and governance impact alongside financial return. Historically, achieving market returns and living up to the fiduciary responsibility of Duty of Loyalty, meaning all activities are first and foremost in pursuit of mission, seemed difficult when investing in the traditional capital markets. However, as several local and national foundations increase their impact-alignment across their portfolios, it may be time to ask the question: Is 100% mission-aligned investing still as complex and risky as it might seem? Is there still justification not to invest entirely in alignment with a foundation's values and mission? Or is there not only justification but also economic opportunities that arise from evaluating environmental and/or social factors in investment decision-making.

Gates Family Foundation and Syntrinsic Investment Counsel will share the findings from their recent national Impact Investing Landscape Scan followed by the Women's Foundation of ColoradoAJL Foundation and Phillips Foundation presenting their impact investing strategies, how it aligns with their mission and values, and new identified economic opportunities. Moderated by Eric Horvath, Director of Capital Strategies, Common Future.

This session is open to funders and advisors. Members of Philanthropy Colorado can sign in to our website to register. If you are a funder or advisor who is not a member, please email Eliane Walters at ewalters@philanthropycolorado.org and let her know you'd like to RSVP.