In my fourth blog post as Minnesota Council on Foundations’ Executive in Residence, I recount my experience at the Mission Investors Exchange in Baltimore.
From 10 people huddled in a conference room 20 years ago to over 500 attending May’s Mission Investors Exchange bi-annual conference, we sure have come a long way. Today’s “hybrid thinkers” see no problem aligning their beliefs with their investments. They view the old way of thinking as too binary, forcing a false choice between profits and purpose.
When COVID-19 and the ensuing economic disruption hit, I worried that impact investing would recede as investors sought comfort in old-style investing and social entrepreneurs kept their day jobs. Luckily, my worries were for naught: more investors are interested in doing good and doing well. More philanthropists are looking for innovative ways to address the multiple crises we face: health, economic, racial, civic, climate, and rural. Social entrepreneurs are launching and growing their ideas to address the world's problems. These leaders give me hope!
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