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 Works

Impact 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:

1. Grant Recommendation – Investors recommend an impact investment through a grant from a DAF, foundation, or personal funds.
2. Due Diligence & Investment – Realize Impact conducts research, reviews terms, and executes the investment in debt, equity, or revenue-based funding.
3. 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 Solutions

Significant 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 Structure

Realize 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 Investing

Contrary 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

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 84 of the Investing in Impact podcast. Today, I'm joined by Daryn Dodson, Founder and Managing Director of Illumen Capital, an impact fund of funds committed to advancing gender and racial equity in financial markets.

Illumen Capital invests in leading growth, private equity, and venture impact funds, providing fund managers with targeted coaching and tools to reduce implicit biases in decision-making.

Previously, Daryn consulted for the Board of Calvert Funds, a $15 billion impact investing pioneer, managing a global portfolio of over 40 funds across five continents, encompassing more than 350 companies.

He also served as Director of University and Corporate Partnerships at The Idea Village, where he secured over 100,000 hours and $2 million in resources from private equity firms, business schools, and Fortune 500 companies to rebuild New Orleans’ entrepreneurial ecosystem after Hurricane Katrina.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Ben & Jerry’s, the CFA Institute’s Future of Finance Advisory Council, the New Venture Fund, and the Impact Assets Investment Committee.

Daryn earned his M.B.A. from Stanford University, where he served on the Dean’s Management Board, and his A.B. from Duke University. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to equity and measurable impact in financial markets and beyond.

About Illumen Capital

Illumen Capital, an impact-focused fund of funds, is on a mission to challenge the status quo. By reducing racial and gender bias in financial decision-making, Illumen Capital aims to create a more inclusive and optimized asset management industry—one that not only drives equity but also enhances financial performance.

Illumen Capital partners with institutional investors to empower the next generation of diverse-led venture and private equity fund managers.

Their mission is rooted in the belief that an equitable asset management industry will be the cornerstone of a more just and prosperous future.

Why it matters:

• Racial and gender bias limits potential. Research led by Illumen Capital and Stanford SPARQ revealed that race influences the decision-making of professional investors. Alarmingly, high-performing Black-led funds are often rated more harshly on subjective criteria such as competence and social fit.
• Missed opportunities: This bias not only perpetuates inequities but causes investors to unknowingly overlook high-potential investment opportunities.

----------------------------------------

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

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 83 of the Investing in Impact podcast. Today, we’re joined by Dan Fishman, Co-Founder and General Partner of Regeneration.VC, a venture capital firm at the forefront of Consumer ClimateTech. Regeneration.VC specializes in supporting early-stage companies that are redefining consumer industries through sustainability-focused innovation.

Takeaways

• The next generation of founders is focused on solving climate issues.
• Sustainable brands are outpacing conventional brands in growth.
• Technology is key to transforming material science and production methods.
• Supply chains can be innovated without complete overhaul.
• Creativity in entrepreneurship is being overshadowed by data-driven decisions.
• The U.S. has potential to lead in climate tech but needs to evolve.
• California remains a leader in climate legislation and innovation.
• The future of work in climate tech is about creating lasting careers.

Regeneration.VC’s mission is to drive systemic change by investing in groundbreaking solutions that prioritize circularity, sustainable materials, and carbon reduction technologies. By addressing the intersection of consumer demand and environmental impact, Regeneration.VC aims to create a future where business growth aligns with planetary health.

Through their portfolio, the firm champions visionary startups working on innovative solutions in sustainable fashion, eco-friendly packaging, renewable products, and more. Regeneration.VC is not just funding businesses but fostering a movement toward a regenerative economy that prioritizes environmental restoration and resilience.

Dan brings a unique perspective to this work, shaped by his diverse career spanning entertainment, fashion, and food industries. He co-founded Bulldog Entertainment Group, worked with major celebrity brands, and launched successful fashion ventures like House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate. In the food sector, he was the first investor and President of Coolhaus, leading its vegan product line launch and eventual acquisition by Perfect Day. His entrepreneurial expertise and passion for sustainability drive the vision of Regeneration.VC.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 82 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with David Lynn, Co-Founder and CEO of Mission Driven Finance (MDF), an organization focused on closing capital gaps and catalyzing economic opportunities in underserved communities.

In this conversation, David shares his unconventional journey from tech to finance and the catalysts that led him to establish MDF.

We dive into MDF’s mission to bridge capital gaps by focusing on private credit and real estate to support local businesses, and David highlights the importance of community-driven due diligence, where relationships are prioritized over traditional metrics.

David also discusses the diverse sources of capital backing MDF, including foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional investors, and MDF's expansion from its roots in San Diego to a national scale.

Looking forward, he outlines MDF's ambitious goal of moving a billion dollars into communities by 2027 and the broader potential for blended finance policies to drive growth in impact investing.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 81 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Dan Barker, President and CEO of Halcyon, an incubator and investor in early-stage, impact-driven startups from around the globe.

About Dan

Dan is a seasoned leader in impact investing and social entrepreneurship. As the President and CEO of Halcyon, he's dedicated to nurturing and funding innovative startups making a positive global impact. Before joining Halcyon, Dan held leadership roles at Mastercard, BlackRock, and Deloitte, where he focused on driving social change through research, strategy, and investment.

His academic background, including a master's degree from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree from NYU, further complements his deep understanding of international finance and economic policy. Dan's commitment to fostering a more equitable world is evident in his service on various advisory boards and his role as a judge for the Inclusive Fintech 50.

Halcyon: Accelerating the Impact-Driven Future

Halcyon is a leading incubator and investor dedicated to fostering the growth of early-stage, impact-driven startups. Since 2014, Halcyon has empowered social entrepreneurs with the resources, community, and expertise they need to succeed. By providing fellowships, mentorship, and investment opportunities, Halcyon helps startups address critical global challenges in Health, Climate, and EquityTech.

Halcyon House: A Historic Hub for Innovation

Halcyon House, a historic 18th-century mansion nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood, serves as the beating heart of Halcyon. Once home to the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert, this iconic building now provides a unique and inspiring workspace for Halcyon’s fellows.

With its rich history and elegant surroundings, Halcyon House fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Its grand rooms, including the historic library and the modern boardroom, provide the perfect setting for Halcyon's programs, events, and community gatherings. Whether it's a fellowship retreat, a speaker series, or a networking event, Halcyon House offers a distinctive backdrop that elevates the experience.

For Halcyon’s fellows, the mansion is more than just a workspace. It's a place to connect with like-minded individuals, seek inspiration, and grow their businesses. The serene atmosphere and stunning architecture create an ideal environment for focused work and creative thinking.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 80 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Cole Shephard, founder of Legacy Group, on his mission to become a leading coffee producer in Colombia while maintaining a focus on sustainability and social impact.

About Cole Shephard

Cole is a Partner at Legacy Group, an alternative asset manager focused on high-impact investment opportunities in the U.S. and Latin America.

Founded in 2015, Legacy Group aims to bridge the gap between financial capital and ventures with significant social and environmental impact across various sectors, including real estate, agriculture, and technology.

Before founding Legacy Group, Cole spent eight years with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, working across the U.S., Bermuda, Hong Kong, and Beijing. His expertise spans accounting, advisory, and consulting, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions in industries like financial services, real estate, and healthcare.

In this episode, Cole shares valuable insights on building business models that integrate environmental and social initiatives, emphasizes the importance of adaptability for aspiring entrepreneurs, and outlines the ambitious future goals for the Green Coffee Company.

Key Takeaways from the Interview:

• Green Coffee Company is Colombia's largest coffee producer.
• The company focuses on sustainability and social impact.
• Building a business for the long term is crucial.
• Education and talent development are key to success.
• Entrepreneurship involves facing numerous challenges.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs should learn from experiences.
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses is essential.
• Future goals include becoming a public company.
• The company aims for nationwide expansion in Colombia.
• Building a community around the business is important.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 79 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Ed Marcum, the Managing Partner of the Working Capital Fund, on the innovations creating a more transparent and responsible global supply chain.

With over 20 years of experience in human rights and venture capital investing, Ed has worked across the for-profit, nonprofit, and public policy sectors.

Previously, he spent more than a decade at Humanity United, guiding initiatives to address forced labor in corporate supply chains.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA/MA from The Wharton School and the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.

About the Working Capital Fund

The Working Capital Fund is on a mission to improve the lives of marginalized workers, catalyzing economic justice by investing in innovative solutions that address the deep-seated challenges of global supply chains.

Global supply chains are enormous, involving millions of workers across thousands of businesses. On average, a Fortune 500 company works with over 10,000 suppliers, producing the goods that consumers rely on daily.

However, these supply chains are often associated with some of the most pressing challenges humanity faces, including forced labor, unfair wages, and environmental degradation.

Annually, over $354 billion worth of goods are at risk of being tainted by forced labor, with more than 17 million workers trapped in modern slavery conditions.

These challenges are often hidden deep within supply chains, making them difficult to detect and resolve. Moreover, supply chains are a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the climate crisis.

How the Working Capital Fund Works to Create Impact

The Working Capital Fund focuses on investing in technologies and solutions that address the injustices inherent in global supply chains.

Through its strategic investments, it aims to create a positive impact on workers and the environment. Key areas of focus include:

1. AI-Enabled Transparency Tools

One of the biggest challenges in addressing supply chain issues is the lack of transparency. Corporations often do not have visibility into the practices of their suppliers, making it difficult to identify labor violations or environmental concerns.

By investing in AI-enabled transparency tools, the Working Capital Fund is empowering companies to map their entire supply chains and assess risks in real time.

These tools offer a clear view of potential human rights abuses or environmental risks, helping businesses make more informed decisions about their suppliers.

2. Worker-Voice Solutions

Empowering workers is a critical part of creating a fair and just supply chain. The Working Capital Fund invests in worker-voice solutions that give laborers the tools they need to hold their employers accountable.

These solutions allow workers to anonymously report unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or other violations, providing valuable feedback to companies and regulators.

With this data, stakeholders can take action to improve labor conditions and ensure that workers’ rights are respected.

3. Financial Technology for Fair Pay

Ensuring fair wages for workers is another priority for the Working Capital Fund.

By investing in financial technologies, the Fund is helping to create systems that ensure workers are paid promptly and fairly.

These technologies also help gather sustainability data on upstream suppliers, providing insights into whether they are adhering to ethical labor practices.

With this information, companies can work towards ensuring that their entire supply chain is both economically and socially responsible.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 78 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Gavin Smith PhD, Managing Director, Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing for PGIM Quantitative Solutions, on his journey into sustainable investing and the evolution of ESG and SDGs.

Gavin Smith, PhD, is the Managing Director and Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing at PGIM Quantitative Solutions. In this role, he leads the integration of ESG factors into the firm’s investment platform and oversees research and analysis for Quantitative Equity portfolios.

Prior to this, Gavin was a portfolio manager and a key member of PGIM’s Research team, focusing on alpha and implementation strategies. Before joining PGIM, he led the North American Quantitative Research team at Macquarie Capital and held research roles at Barclays Capital and Plato Investment Management in Sydney, Australia.

Gavin holds a BComm (Honors) in finance from the University of Wollongong and a PhD in finance from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Takeaways

• Gavin's dual role combines quantitative equity research with sustainable investing.
• The evolution of ESG has been significant since the Paris Climate Accord.
• Data quality is crucial for effective ESG and SDG investing.
• Key metrics for evaluating companies include carbon emissions, water usage, and diversity.
• Engagement with companies is essential for improving data transparency.
• SDGs provide a framework for assessing the impact of investments.
• Greenwashing poses a challenge in identifying truly sustainable companies.
• The future of sustainable investing relies on better data and education.
• Investors are increasingly interested in the financial performance of sustainable companies.
• The integration of ESG and SDGs can lead to more impactful investment strategies.

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

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 77 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Lawrence Williams III, Partner at the De-Carceration Fund, on the fund's mission to support startups that address the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals and those reentering society.

The U.S. criminal justice system affects over 6.6 million people and costs the nation more than $80 billion per year.

The De-Carceration Fund is unique in its mission to support and invest in enterprises that directly address the failings of the U.S. criminal justice system. The fund’s multipronged strategy includes backing companies that work in areas such as:

• Preventing Entry: Advocating for reforms in gun control, cash bail, foster care, law enforcement, and domestic violence to reduce the number of individuals who enter the criminal justice system.
• Reducing Suffering: Supporting efforts in juvenile justice, legal costs, prison programming, family support, and sentence reduction to ease the burdens placed on those within the system.
• Ending the Cycle: Addressing recidivism by promoting reform and rehabilitation that help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and avoid re-incarceration.

The Economics of Incarceration

The current system perpetuates a cycle of financial exploitation and human suffering. Private companies make approximately $7 billion from prison operations, with over $3 billion of that coming directly from the families of incarcerated individuals.

Each inmate costs an average of $35,000 per year, yet over half of those released return to prison within three years.

This broken system not only drains resources but fails to provide meaningful solutions to reduce crime or support rehabilitation.

The indirect costs of incarceration, estimated at $260 billion annually, further highlight the deep flaws in the system.

These costs ripple through society, affecting families, communities, and the overall economy.

----------------------------------------

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

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.

----------------------------------------

In episode 76 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Amy Duffuor, General Partner of Azolla Ventures, on combining catalytic capital with traditional venture capital to support climate tech companies.

Takeaways

• Azolla Ventures combines catalytic capital with traditional venture capital to support climate tech companies.
• Portfolio companies of Azolla Ventures include Lilac Solutions, Noon Energy, and Carbon Reform, which are working on innovative solutions in lithium extraction, long-duration energy storage, and carbon capture.
• There is a need to integrate equity and justice into climate investments and prioritize underfunded areas like rice cultivation, ocean-related projects, and alternative proteins.

About Azolla Ventures

Azolla Ventures partners with visionary founders to accelerate transformative climate solutions. Their mission is clear: to invest in breakthroughs that can avert catastrophic climate change and return our world to balance.

By focusing on ventures at the earliest stages, where risk and reward are highest, Azolla Ventures prioritizes impact above all, ensuring that each investment holds the potential for large-scale greenhouse gas reductions and a more just climate for all.

----------------------------------------

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