This paper reviews the status of market-based solutions in philanthropy/social investment. The paper discusses the following topics: the inefficient market hypothesis, new allocation opportunities, limited-life philanthropy, risk-adjusted financial returns, aligning investment and mission and...

This article provides a conceptual framework for a social agenda for commodity businesses, mapping the different action options. Providing basic and high-value commodities, the extractive industry fulfills a fundamental economic need. Operating in a wide variety of geographical and climatic...

This paper asks how foundation assets can be invested for greater social impact without sacrificing financial return objectives - for example, by investing in social enterprises. In organizing the socio-economic activity outside the public sector two options are generally available. At one end...

Against the background of extremely high transaction costs in the nonprofit sector, this paper analyzes how philanthropic funding can be targeted in appropriate ways to social entrepreneurs, depending on their being quot;public goodquot; or private goodquot; social entrepreneurs. quot;Public...

This paper analyzes venture philanthropy in Europe. Since the mid-nineties, the rise of venture philanthropy has mirrored the rise of social entrepreneurship in civil society in interesting ways. Social entrepreneurs and venture philanthropists alike have often laid claim to being among the most...

In many countries, employment growth in civil society outpaces that of the private sector, but a striking information gap remains: the most innovative initiatives are frequently not well known to philanthropically minded families. Taking this observation as a starting point, the paper outlines...

Philanthropy is about expressing values and creating impact. As they make a difference, philanthropists leave both a perennial imprint and build personal and family identities. But translating principles into action is a big challenge: creating lasting change is more easily envisioned than...

This paper analyzes the role of awards in accelerating positive social change. Awards are an expression of the fundamental human desire to share, celebrate and recognize. But what is the real impact an award has upon the recipient and upon the organization that grants it? And is the...

The article asks how philanthropists can make a difference over long periods in a changing world. From a structural point of view, philanthropic foundations can be designed to operate in the very long run, in principle in perpetuity. For example, the largest charitable grant-giver to London-only...