Social Impact Investing (SII)
Social impact investing provides finance to organisations addressing social and/or environmental needs with the explicit expectation of a measurable social, as well as financial, return. Social Impact Investing aims to foster economic development while achieving social outcomes through local initiatives. The emerging landscape of social enterprise agencies across Canada are related to social impact investing.
In 2022, the Board of Directors of Community Foundation Grey Bruce voted to establish a Social Impact Investing Fund with a designation of 1% of our total assets. This fund allows the foundation to invest money locally, garnering a financial return but also making Grey Bruce a better place to live. In making decisions and talking about the impacts of Social Impact Investing, we refer to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals as aspirational. The SDGs link our work in the local sphere with global benefit. The Foundation’s Vital Signs work also means we gather local knowledge and data that can inform our Social Impact Investing decisions and priorities.
Social Impact Investing is accomplished through two distinct streams of Mission Related Investments (MRI Stream) or Program Related Investments (Charitable Use Stream). Any loans or investments must be considered “straight investments” and must conform to the conventional investment requirements of the Foundation. To be considered a straight investment, the rate of return on any loan or investment must be at or above market rates. Program related investments may not provide a market-level return but instead demonstrate how they benefit our community in their rationale. All loans and program-related investments must meet any conditions imposed on charitable public foundations under applicable government legislation.
If your organization is interested in learning more about SII or would like to propose an investment, please contact the Foundation office for more information.
Social Impact Investing for Community Building & Housing Solutions Event
In November of 2023, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce and The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay, hosted an event titled "Social Impact Investing for Community Building and Housing Solutions". The evening consisted of lively panelist and audience discussion on how social finance tools and social impact investing can be used to address the local housing crisis. The event was livestreamed, and the recording can be found here. The slide deck is also available for download here.