Program-Related Investments: State of the Field 2016

While many foundations have explored opportunities to leverage PRIs/MRIs to further their missions, the level of such investments is relatively small, comprising less than 2% of private foundation endowments. Why? This paper by the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania provides a snapshot of the current state of foundation mission investing (PRIs and MRIs) and identifies several barriers that might be preventing the broad use of such social investing tools.

 

To accomplish these two goals, the Center synthesized dozens of conversations with individuals active in the philanthropy sector, analyzed available data sources and leveraged field experience. The data sources and organizations from where the authors sought input are listed in the Bibliography and helped drive the analysis and hypothesis articulated in this paper.