Social Finance

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What We Do

Manage & Invest

Social Finance works with philanthropic funders, public and private sector partners, and mission-driven organizations to design and manage investments that expand economic opportunity in America. We use financial tools that return capital, so grants and investments put each dollar to work more than once.

Overview

A new generation of solutions to some of our most pressing social challenges exist between traditional philanthropy and market-rate investing. At Social Finance, we bring the full spectrum of capital to bear on the results that matter most to people and communities.

We identify a measurable outcome for every investment, then deploy the type of capital best suited to achieving it. Over time, we monitor and manage financial and impact performance against specific metrics.

As a national nonprofit and registered investment adviser (SF Advisers, LLC), our top priority is delivering meaningful social impact. We design both return-seeking investment funds and revolving grant funds that compound impact over time.

Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Impact investing involves risk, including possible loss of capital.

Offerings

Investing for Impact

For individuals, families, and foundations interested in impact-first investing, our professionally managed portfolio offers an accessible entry point and a learning opportunity for accredited investors.  Our Impact First Fund invests in business models that invests business models that strengthen communities, expand access to income, and build wealth over time.

Custom Portfolio Management

We design, build, and manage custom portfolios for individuals, families, foundations, and DAFs aligned with the investor’s priorities. Social Finance provides comprehensive support, managing the investment management process from sourcing through impact and financial diligence to evaluation and reporting. Custom portfolios can be thematically-focused or place-based.

Financing Workforce and Education

In partnership with philanthropy, public, and private sector partners, we design new models that recycle funding based on outcomes. As learners earn a minimum salary after training, funds are repaid and used to support the next learner.

Employer Solutions

We use innovative financing approaches to address talent shortages and needs. We help employers fill hard-to-staff roles by building a pipeline for new talent and upskilling incumbent workers.

Financing Workforce Innovators

We provide capital to high-performing education and training providers. First, we learn about their business needs and constraints, and then we design financing that helps them serve more learners.

Investments in Impactful Business Models

We invest in business models that address economic opportunity. We provide flexible, patient capital to organizations that offer services and products that sustain stable communities, create jobs, and help people build wealth.

The Local News Fund, created collaboratively by the MacArthur and Knight Foundations, along with Social Finance and others, is the first fund built to connect local news organizations with the capital they need to develop sustainable business models that will support local news for generations to come.

John Balbach, Director of Impact Investments at the MacArthur Foundation

No compensation was provided in exchange for testimonial. MacArthur Foundation is an investor in the Local News Impact Investment Fund.

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I couldn't be happier to be doing this work with Social Finance. The process of designing a fund to meet my philanthropic goals has been candid, cooperative, and highly effective.

Mollie Carter, Investor in the Tuesday Fund and Social Finance Board Member

No compensation was provided in exchange for testimonial.

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What are impact-first investments?

Philanthropy alone is insufficient to address the scale of our biggest challenge. Impact-first investments bring the rigor of investing to your philanthropic goals, creating returns that can be reinvested to multiply your impact over time.

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What We Do