This executive summary provides an overview of impact investing and how leaders could accelerate its evolution and increase its ultimate impact in the world.
Responsible investment -- understood as the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information into investment analysis -- is a discipline that allows investors to: - Better assess long-term risks and opportunities in their portfolios; and - Better align their investment strategies with opportunities to create longterm wealth for investors and society alike. It is a tool for investors who seek to improve long-term financial returns through enhanced ESG analysis. It also appeals to mission or impact investors, who seek to achieve defined social and/or environmental goals while achieving targeted rates of return. In both cases, investors use responsible investment as a tool to improve their ability to achieve their goals. Climate change is among the most important issues addressed by today's responsible investment universe. The physical risks of climate change, the likelihood of major changes in political and regulatory investment environments as a result of climate change, the opportunities associated with a radical global transformation to a low-carbon economy -- these issues create far-reaching implications for investors as they make decisions about their investment strategies, and as they evaluate particular fund managers and investment opportunities. New ideas, products, and methods have entered the market to address the long-term implications of climate change. This short handbook takes as its premise that a climate lens reveals risks and opportunities across all elements of an investor's portfolio. Every asset class offers investors an opportunity to pursue climate-friendly investments, to mitigate exposure to climate risk, and to engage stakeholders to improve climate-related performance across the range of investment opportunities.
An essay by Michael Swack Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire
This manual has been developed with the input of, and provided as a resource for, policy advocates and analysts working to enact stronger consumer protections, more effective regulation and greater transparency in the financial system to prevent a future mortgage and credit crisis. To conduct an effective advocacy campaign, advocates must deliver a consistent and compelling message to break through on a complex issue in a cluttered media environment. Advocates must use the same stories, the same themes and the same language over and over again for these concepts to register with policymakers and the public. This Message Manual provides content and guidance to help supporters of reform at the state and national levels deliver consistent messages. It provides key messages, core words and phrases, a 1-minute message, stories and responses to opposition statements. You can cut and paste template language from this document for presentations, interviews and written materials. The approach taken in this manual draws on research-based models and best practices employed in marketing and communications for persuading and motivating people through language that both informs and inspires. Using the themes and language in this manual in all communications will help us communicate more consistently and powerfully about the need to reform the financial system in a way that protects consumers.
The strategic investment of university endowment funds can improve the quality of life in communities throughout the United States and beyond. This handbook is a guide for college and university administrators, trustees, finance committee members, and all other university stakeholders interested in developing and implementing community investment policies for the institution's endowment.
Access the Foundation's IRS tax return.
Access the Foundation's financial statement.
A report on Foundation activities in 2007.
By former Heron President, Sharon King.
An overview on impact from the F.B. Heron 2007 Annual Report