2008 Summit Overview

At this invitation-only, two-day conference, approximately 100 investors, philanthropists, and foundations convened to discuss one of the hottest topics in philanthropy: mission-related investments (”MRI”). MRI is defined as investments creating positive social and environmental impacts that are aligned with an investor’s mission and/or values.

This conversation focused on MRI that generate “market-rate” and premium returns. This conference was designed to facilitate peer conversations among leading practitioners and trustees, CFOs and investment staff exploring MRI so that they were empowered to make decisions, take action, and explore collaborations. Day One addressed the “ins and outs” of MRI. Day Two focused on cutting edge practices and provided a space to candidly discuss unexplored, unresolved and debated territory.

TAKE ACTION! IS THE PRE-EMINENT GATHERING OF IMPACT INVESTORS FOCUSED ON PREMIUM – OR ABOVE MARKET-RATE – RETURNS.

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SEE THE 2008 Take Action! SPEAKERS

What is MRI?

MRI is defined as investments generating “market-rate” returns and positive social and environmental impacts that are aligned with an investor’s mission and/or values. These impacts may include those that affect the environment and climate change, bottom of the pyramid (e.g., those living on less than $2/day around the globe), domestic emerging markets, and health.

While MRI does not yet generate market-rate returns across all asset classes and issue areas, continued satisfaction with MRI providing either competitive returns with limited social value, or scalable social value and below-market rate returns may limit investors from demanding both market-rate returns and scalable social value. Some argue that MRI should generate premium returns because the investments are in inefficient and immature investment spaces, which seem to involve more risk.

The conference addressed these questions:

• Where are the markets in this evolution?
• What types of risk-adjusted investment returns are practicably achievable?
• Where are top investors and leading practitioners finding investments and creating value?
• What elements are needed to bring together attractive investment returns with scalable social value?
• What changes are needed to propel the space forward?
• Given current options, what are appropriate strategies for your and your foundation’s investments?

KL Felicitas

The KL Felicitas Foundation was created in 2000 by Charly and Lisa Kleissner, successful entrepreneurs. Charly and Lisa utilize their skills, networks, and know-how to achieve maximum impact in their philanthropic endeavors.

The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Enable social entrepreneurs worldwide to develop and grow economically sustainable, scalable enterprises with high measurable social impact.
• Empower rural communities and families through sustainable economic and social change.
• Advocate the Foundation’s sustainability, mission, and social investment strategy.

The Foundation’s core values are:

• Commitment to high touch approach.
• Belief that a grass-roots approach is more successful and sustainable than a top-down approach.
• Belief that many societal problems can be addressed most effectively through cross-sectoral partnerships and hybrid business solutions.
• Commitment to leverage as many aspects of the Foundation’s structure and activities as possible.
• Taking into account the holistic impact of our work.

The KL Felicitas Foundation has a proactive grant-making philosophy and therefore does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.

The Underdog Foundation

The Underdog Foundation works to meet community and environmental needs that cannot be met through simple investments. To date, over $7.25 million has been committed to the Underdog Foundation. The Underdog Foundation is not a source of only cash, but provides a place for investors, CEOs and advisors to provide mentoring and technical expertise to support non-profit organizations doing important work in our communities.

The interest areas of the Underdog Foundation are:

• Environment and Conservation
• Community Investment
• Women’s Entrepreneurship
• International Community Investment and Community Development

The Underdog Foundation, which does not accept unsolicited applications, chooses high-impact groups and supports them in the following ways:

• Giving grants to non-profits that have demonstrated ability to provide important community services.
• Applying an array of community investment models to provide effective capital to communities and organizations.
• Providing technical assistance to non-profits in areas of finance, marketing, operations, strategic partnering, and negotiations.

Forging vibrant, human relationships between partners in for-profit and non-profit organizations.