Breaking Barriers: A Practical Guide to Unlocking Foundation Endowments for Mission and Returns

Builders Initiative and Social Finance released a new report, "Breaking Barriers:A Practical Guide to Unlocking Foundation Endowments for Mission and Returns." Written for leaders of foundations, high-net-worth family offices, and their board members, the report identifies common barriers and opportunities associated with mission-related investments (MRIs). MRIs are impact oriented, often market-rate, investments made from a foundation's endowment to advance its mission.

 

Our CEO Matt Onek argues that the report is a valuable resource: "There's no 'one size fits all' approach for increasing the use of mission-related investments by foundations and other impact investors. There are significant examples of foundations that are expanding their impact investing efforts by carving out a portion of their endowments for MRIs, co-investing alongside other foundations and investors, and selecting board of director and investment committee members with MRI experience. This important report provides a clear roadmap to equip and empower foundations to expand MRIs."