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Investing in Impact | Impact InvestingInvesting in Impact interviews impact investors, General Partners, and VC's from around the world on their individual journeys and to connect impact entrepreneurs with insight into funding, scalability, and insights to inspire more impact companies around the world.. Author: Causeartist
Investing in Impact interviews impact investors, General Partners, and VC's from around the world on their individual journeys and to connect impact entrepreneurs with insight into funding, scalability, and insights to inspire more impact companies around the world. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Impact Investing through Donor Advised Funds - Matt Eldridge, Executive Director of Realize Impact
Episode 85
Tuesday, 11 February, 2025
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.----------------------------------------Welcome to Episode 85 of the Investing in Impact podcast. Today, I'm joined by Matt Eldridge, Executive Director of Realize Impact, on using Donor Advised Funds to innovate impact investing.Impact investing is often perceived as complex, requiring a balance between financial returns and social good.Realize Impact eliminates these barriers, providing a streamlined process that enables individuals, foundations, and donor-advised funds (DAFs) to invest in high-impact ventures while maintaining financial sustainability.How It WorksImpact investing through Realize Impact is facilitated via the Philanthropic Investment Grant (PHIG)—a simple and effective way to direct capital toward high-impact ventures.By recommending an investment and providing matching capital, donors can amplify their contributions while supporting meaningful change.Realize Impact simplifies impact investing into three steps:Grant Recommendation – Investors recommend an impact investment through a grant from a DAF, foundation, or personal funds.Due Diligence & Investment – Realize Impact conducts research, reviews terms, and executes the investment in debt, equity, or revenue-based funding.Returns & Reinvestment – 99% of the investment returns are donated back to the investor’s recommended DAF, foundation, or nonprofit for reinvestment.This model allows investors to support impactful projects without the complexities of direct investment management.What is a Donor Advised Fund?A Donor Advised Fund is a philanthropic giving vehicle that allows donors to contribute funds, receive immediate tax benefits, and then recommend grants to eligible charities over time.Think of it as a charitable savings account, where individuals or families set aside funds dedicated to philanthropic purposes.These funds are managed by sponsoring organizations, such as community foundations, universities, or specialized charitable organizations, which administer the DAF on behalf of the donor.Unlocking Capital for Global SolutionsSignificant capital remains idle in donor-advised funds and foundations. Realize Impact mobilizes these funds into ventures addressing key global challenges such as:Climate change – Investing in renewable energy and sustainable business models.Economic empowerment – Supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs with access to capital.Social equity – Financing housing, education, and healthcare initiatives.By actively deploying philanthropic capital, Realize Impact maximizes both financial and social returns.Transparent Fee StructureRealize Impact offers a straightforward, affordable pricing model:$500 flat fee for investments of $10,000 or more.No fee for investments under $10,000 (though returns are not re-donated).This ensures accessibility while maintaining financial sustainability.Redefining Impact InvestingContrary to the belief that impact investing sacrifices returns, Realize Impact proves that financial and social benefits can align.By reinvesting returns into donor-advised funds and nonprofits, the organization amplifies the impact of every dollar. ----------------------------------------Thrive in the Impact Economy.Join 20k+. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and curated products that drive the Impact Economy. Our mission is to highlight and celebrate the founders, creators, investors, and conscious brands shaping the future of conscious business and philanthropy.To learn more, please visit causeartist.com