Cogent U

This virtual course is designed for social entrepreneurs, whether leading a for-profit or a nonprofit venture, who see impact investing as a possible new source of financing for their business.

It will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate the types of capital and potential sources in the investing field. You will learn the best practice processes of preparing, soliciting, and receiving investments for your social venture. You will also develop your own venture pitch that is appropriate for the investors you intend to approach.

Cogent University Offerings Summary

101: Raising Capital: Is Impact Investing Right for You?

This is an overview of the field and provides a way to assess your own readiness for investing

201: Deep Dive into Impact Investing Sources

Who, What and How it all works

301: Investor Communications

Due Diligence preparation + Understanding & preparing for the pitch

Presenting your pitch

• Engaging your Board of Directors, Trustees, Investment Advisors, and colleagues on the topic of Impact Investing
• A lot of skepticism about how Impact Investing works and how you can apply it to your foundation
• How to find impact investments that meet your foundation’s mission, equity and inclusion values, and/or geographic footprint
• Understanding the accounting and legal implications/boundaries for foundations to make investments
• Conducting financial due diligence on potential impact investments

If that's you and your foundation, then Cogent U can help! You will be able to find opportunities to invest and help your foundation make progress towards impact alignment of all assets. Customized sessions offered to individual institutions, businesses, and conferences.

Meet the Instructors

1

Susan Hammel
CFA, FOUNDER

2

Terri Barreiro
PRINCIPAL

3

Danielle St. Luce
INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE

After taking Cogent U, you will be able to learn how to discuss Impact Investing topics with financial staff, committee members, and advisors, seek out opportunities to make impact investments, and help your foundation make progress toward impact alignment of all assets.

With impact investing on the rise, there is a demand for more in-depth information from experts in the field. This is where Cogent U comes in! As a foundation, you can not only play a critical role in Impact Investing but help arm the next wave of Impact Investing professionals.