place-based impact investing
an exploration of innovative, social impact financing for essex county
what is place-based impact investing?
Place-based impact investing refers to the local deployment of impact capital – that is, investments made with the intent to yield both financial and social and/or environmental returns — to address the needs of marginalized communities. (Urban Institute)
what does place-based impact investing look like in a community?
Read an example of how place-based impact investing works to support community need.
A local food nonprofit receives a $400,000 state reimbursement grant for a food workforce development program that includes local sourcing of food, training and production of meals for marginalized families. But the grant will be paid out only after the organization has spent the money up front. A short-term $400,000 impact investment will enable the nonprofit to immediately implement critical programming that improves food security for area residents. And it provides the investor, who cares about the resiliency of their community, with a guaranteed payback at a negotiated rate of return.
place-based impact investing in essex county
ECCF’s exploration of innovative, social impact financing for our region
Over the last year, ECCF has been examining ways to connect investors with community-based, social impact investment opportunities that will contribute to the equitable economic development of Essex County. An exploration of the local marketplace has revealed that our region already has the necessary elements to build a vibrant impact investing ecosystem. The ultimate goal of the foundation is to serve as a hub that inspires funders and investors, connects them with social impact opportunities and invites community stakeholders on a journey of continuous learning.
To support this vision, ECCF and Impact Finance Center will host a series of events for funders, investors, nonprofits and social innovators to learn, connect and explore the possibilities together. While this series of events will have a particular focus on 1) arts, culture and the creative economy and 2) housing, there will be space and time provided to discuss social ventures outside of those sectors.
This series of educational events is designed for us as a community to learn together about how impact investing could positively impact the cities and towns of Essex County. Part of ECCF’s ongoing systems change work, this series is generously supported by the Gilson Family Foundation, the Barr Foundation and ECCF.
We invite you to join us and learn about impact investing together.
FOR INVESTORS INTERESTED IN ARTS & CULTURE
Arts and culture are a vital part of a vibrant economy.
Join us for an exploratory look at how place-based impact investing can strengthen the local creative ecosystem. This series of events is designed for investors, including individuals, foundations, family offices, companies and local philanthropists, to:
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- Learn the basics of impact investing for the creative sector.
- Discover what is happening in the field of creative sector impact investing on a national level, through examples and case studies.
- Explore what this type of investment could look like in Essex County.
- Connect with a network of community-minded people thinking about creative solutions for elevating arts and culture.
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WEBINAR
Investors Only
April 2, 2024
12 pm EST
Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Financing and Impact Investing
Join ECCF and Impact Finance Center for a one-hour educational glimpse into the world of impact investing for the arts and culture sector. We’ll explore innovative financing models and strategies that can revolutionize funding in the creative economy, bringing together philanthropic, government and private sector investors. This webinar explores models and approaches to foster a vibrant creative economy that provides jobs, builds cultural capital, inspires personal engagement and serves the needs of all members of the community.
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in this webinar for anyone attending the in-person workshop.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Investors Only | Limited Space
May 21, 2024
9am-5pm
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School | 565 Maple Street | Danvers, MA
Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Financial Innovation and Impact Investing
Take your learning to the next level at this day-long, in-person workshop for investors who are passionate about harnessing the power of financial innovation to fund the creative economy and drive meaningful impact.
Sessions include lectures and breakout sessions to learn how a broad array of financial models can help strengthen arts and culture, a vital part of a vibrant economy, while generating financial returns. IFC program faculty will be accompanied by investors in the creative economy to talk about their experiences. The workshop will conclude with a social venture marketplace where participants can meet invited nonprofit and social venture leaders and learn about impact investing opportunities.
Full-Day, In-Person Agenda:
9 – 9:30 am: Welcome and Introductions
9:30 – 10:45 am: Full Spectrum Capital 101
11 am – 12 pm: Nonprofit Financial Innovation & Impact Investing
12 – 1:30 pm: Lunch, Impact Investor Panel
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Philanthropic Opportunity Scan
2:30 – 3 pm: Wrap Up Discussion & Next Steps
3:30 – 5 pm: Social Venture Marketplace
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in the introductory webinar prior to attending the in-person workshop.
Those who attend the in-person workshop will also be invited to join a series of post-workshop Learning Circle peer sessions to support their impact investing journey. These sessions will include topics such as impact cash, impact retirements, diverse emerging managers, intermediaries, impact investing giving circles and how to choose your investment advisor.
FOR INVESTORS INTERESTED IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges of our time.
Join us for an exploratory look at how place-based impact investing can drive positive change in the housing sector. This series of events is designed for investors, including individuals, foundations, family offices, companies and local philanthropists, to:
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- Learn the basics of impact investing for the affordable housing sector.
- Discover what is happening in the field of affordable housing impact investing on a national level, through examples and case studies.
- Explore what this type of investment could look like in Essex County.
- Connect with a network of community-minded people interested in creating sustainable solutions for affordable housing challenges.
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WEBINAR
Investors Only
April 4, 2024
12 pm EST
Housing, Financial Innovation and Impact Investing
Join ECCF and Impact Finance Center to get a high-level look at a groundbreaking effort to address the current housing crisis. Learn about innovative financing models and strategies that will change the way you think about supporting affordable housing and hear from investors who are exploring innovative financing solutions to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time.
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in this webinar for anyone attending the in-person workshop.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Investors Only | Limited Space
May 22, 2024
9am-5pm
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School | 565 Maple Street | Danvers, MA
Housing, Financial Innovation and Impact Investing
Sessions include lectures and breakout sessions to learn how a broad array of innovative tools and financial models can ensure access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing while generating financial returns. IFC program faculty will be accompanied by investors in housing to talk about their experiences. The workshop will conclude with a social venture marketplace where participants can meet invited nonprofit and social venture leaders and learn about regional innovations.
Full-day, In-person agenda
9 – 9:30 am: Welcome and Introductions
9:30 – 10:45 am: Full Spectrum Capital 101
11 am – 12 pm: Nonprofit Financial Innovation & Impact Investing
12 – 1:30 pm: Lunch, Impact Investor Panel
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Philanthropic Opportunity Scan
2:30 – 3 pm: Wrap Up Discussion & Next Steps
3:30 – 5 pm: Social Venture Marketplace
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in the introductory webinar prior to attending the in-person workshop.
Those who attend the in-person workshop will also be invited to join a series of post-workshop Learning Circle peer sessions to support their impact investing journey. These sessions will include topics such as impact cash, impact retirements, diverse emerging managers, intermediaries, impact investing giving circles and how to choose your investment advisor.
FOR NONPROFITS AND SOCIAL VENTURES INTERESTED IN IMPACT INVESTING
Nonprofits are leveraging innovative financing to meet their missions.
Join us for an exploratory look at how your organization can leverage impact investing to support your communities and elevate your good work. This series of events is designed for nonprofits and social ventures, including projects, businesses, startups, cooperatives and funds, to:
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- Learn the basics of impact investing and how it strengthens the work of community organizations.
- Discover how organizations across the country are benefiting from impact investing, through examples and case studies.
- Explore and identify possible impact investing opportunities within your own organization.
- Connect with a network of social innovators thinking about creative financing solutions to meet their missions.
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WEBINAR
For Nonprofits & Social Ventures
April 11, 2024
12 pm EST
Meeting Your Mission with Impact Investing
Join ECCF and Impact Finance Center for a one-hour webinar on the basics of how impact investing can be used as a tool to expand the positive work your organization is already doing in Essex County and how financial innovations can benefit both your work and potential investors.
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in this webinar for anyone attending the in-person workshop.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
For Nonprofits & Social Ventures
May 23, 2024
9:30-11:30am
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School | 565 Maple Street | Danvers, MA
Essex County Financial Innovations and Impact Investing
Take your learning to the next level with this in-depth training for nonprofits and social ventures, including projects, businesses, startups, cooperatives and funds interested in discovering how innovative financial approaches can amplify your mission, enhance sustainability and drive meaningful impact. As an extension of this work, ECCF will also be creating a “living” catalog of initiatives that we can share with interested investors.
ECCF and Impact Finance Center encourage participation in the introductory webinar prior to attending the in-person workshop.
QUICK LINKS
ECCF's Tax ID # 04-3407816