Join us July 6 -10 to discuss the emerging world of “social investment :” a range of capital targeted to entrepreneurial approaches to social and environmental problems.

Register: Sign up Here – New and Improved Registration Process

Through this conference, we will:
• Explore the goals of social investment as it exists today, from “venture philanthropy”-style grants through to investments made with the goal of commercial returns;
• Discuss how these different types of social investment capital differ from traditional funding mechanisms for NGOs and social enterprises;
• Hear practical advice from some investors about their criteria when looking for organizations to invest in;
• Discuss with practitioners how to assess whether they should seek this type of capital, and what their next steps might be.

Facilitators: Jessica Shortall, consultant in social enterprise and social investment; Mary McVay, Director of the Value Initiative; Kim Alter, Virtue Ventures

Featuring: New SEEP Publication, Understanding and Accessing Social Investment and practitioner and investor expert discussants.

Agenda for the week:

• Topic 1: Spectrum of social investing: Defining the Segment and Discussing Risk and Return Thinking
  1. Commercial social investing
  2. Investment-minded grants
  3. Patient investment

• Topic 2: The social investor/enterprise relationship
  1. Fundamental differences to traditional grant relationship
  2. Different forms of control
  3. Investor expectations

• Topic 3: Should we seek social investment capital?
  1. Mindset & culture for “investable” enterprise
  2. Finding your place on the spectrum
  3. Are your board, staff, and stakeholders ready?

• Topic 4: How do we find and get in touch with social investors?
  1. Global networks – recommendations
  2. How to analyze and filter who might be a good fit
  3. Beyond the “cold call” – how to get in front of an investor

• Topic 5: What’s a business plan, really?
  1. How does a business plan differ from a grant proposal?
  2. Basic outline investors look for
  3. What should a business plan communicate?

We look forward to talking with you!