Impact Investing for Community Foundations Webinar Series

Community foundations play an increasingly important role in the mission and impact investing field. With a place-based focus, multiple stakeholders and the opportunity to engage donors, community foundation needs and concerns are different from other types of foundations. As part of the PRI Makers Network’s ongoing efforts to provide programs and services for community foundations, we are pleased to launch this new webinar series focused on helping community foundations establish or expand their impact investing programs.

The series features community foundation impact investing practitioners who will describe key concepts and models, discuss critical questions including how to engage donors, and detail the steps to implementing a successful impact investing program. It is intended for all community foundations - large or small - that are considering, getting started with or expanding their use of below market-rate and/or market-rate impact investments to achieve their philanthropic goals.  It is also a useful preparation for more intensive PRI Makers Network training programs such as the PRI Institute.
 
To view a recording of the webinar, click on each of the session titles. 
 

Part I: Introduction to Impact Investing

Wednesday, June 15, 9:30-10:30 am Pacific/11:30 am-12:30 pm Central/12:30-1:30 pm Eastern

Speakers: Doug Kridler, The Columbus Foundation; Stuart Comstock-Gay, The Vermont Community Foundation; Marc Rand, Marin Community Foundation

This session will introduce the potential strategic benefit of impact investing strategies to community foundations.  We will discuss models for how community foundations are leveraging their resources, engaging their donors, and expanding their impact through market rate and concessionary investments, as well as review legal and regulatory issues relevant to community foundations.
Access the slide presentation here.

Part II: Developing and Implementing Place-Based Impact Investing Strategies

Wednesday, July 13, 9:30-10:30 am Pacific/11:30 am-12:30 pm Central/12:30-1:30 pm Eastern

Speakers: Lisa Cremin, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta; Leo Quigley, The Boston Foundation

Community foundations often begin making impact investments in response to a particular opportunity or need.  Increasingly, they are crafting impact investing strategies as a way to address regional issues, often in partnership with other foundations and donors. This session will discuss ways in which community foundations are initiating and carrying out strategic initiatives and programs based on the unique needs of their urban and rural communities.
Access the slide presentation here.

Part III: Establishing an Impact Investing Program

Wednesday, August 10, 9:30-10:30 am Pacific/11:30 am-12:30 pm Central/12:30-1:30 pm Eastern

Speakers: Bob Eckardt, The Cleveland Foundation; Robert Killins and Amy Cheney, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation; Todd Hanson, Orange County Community Foundation

This session will discuss the internal and external processes and resources that community foundations engage to create and sustain an effective investment program. This includes how community foundations of all sizes vet impact investing strategies with stakeholders (including trustees), and how they develop internal processes and intermediary partnerships to assess, execute, and manage impact investments.
Access the slide presentation here.  

Part IV: Optimizing and Evaluating Impact Investing Programs

Wednesday, October 12, 9:30-10:30 am Pacific/11:30 am-12:30 pm Central/12:30-1:30 pm Eastern

Speakers: Ann Sewill, Community Foundation Land Trust, California Community Foundation; Debbie Rooney, The Vermont Community Foundation

This session will discuss ways in which community foundations manage and optimize the benefits of their ongoing concessionary and market-rate impact investment activities. Topics will include the roles of staff, board, donors, and advisors; assessment and evaluation; and cost. In addition, we will cover evaluation strategies and discuss lessons learned.
Access the slide presentation here.     

This series is one of a number of services for community foundations that the PRI Makers Network has developed in conjunction with More for Mission, GPS Capital Partners, and The Philanthropic Initiative. Additional learning opportunities include our next PRI Institute focused on Building Healthy Communities, which will be hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey on November 9 – 11.

If you have any questions regarding the webinar series, please contact Shiho Fuyuki.