Philanthropy and Social Impact

People sometimes see Acumen raising large amounts of commercial capital and assume we no longer need philanthropy. No sooner had we announced $250M for our Hardest-to-Reach fund — to bring off-grid light and electricity to 70 million people across 17 of Africa’s most challenging markets — than some concluded Acumen must be set. In fact, the opposite is true. First, let me acknowledge how tough this fundraising environment is. I couldn’t be prouder of the team and partners who made our Hardest-to-Reach announcement possible after 2.5 years of relentless effort. And yet it’s worth underscoring: none of this would have been possible without philanthropy. Philanthropy is the first mover. It allows us to place early bets in fragile markets like Malawi and Benin, cover the development costs needed to structure and raise investment across the capital spectrum and provide the technical assistance that builds capacity. To put a finer point on it: of the nearly $250M raised for Hardest-to-Reach, more than $80M is philanthropic. That risk-taking anchor made it possible to prove new models — and ultimately unlock institutional investment. During Climate Week last month, I met philanthropists who see this as the time to pivot from grantmaking toward impact investing. While I understand the instinct, I want to offer a reframing: it’s not either/or. If you want your capital to have lasting impact, there may be no better use than catalytic philanthropy — especially when deployed through blended finance models like Hardest-to-Reach. Philanthropy cannot see itself at the margins. It is catalytic capital — risk-taking, patient, and unabashedly impact-first — creating the conditions for commercial capital to follow. And it's more important now than ever as traditional aid shrinks and many governments shift from grants to investment approaches. At Acumen, philanthropy from donors at all levels remains our bedrock. It enables us to reach the hardest-to-reach, build inclusive markets where none exist, and keep social impact at the center of everything we do. And because solving problems of poverty is Acumen’s mission, raising philanthropic capital will remain essential to our work.

Do we really need institutionalized feminism? Events from the past few weeks brought up this question for me again. I am open to being challenged about this. But the more I do this work, the more I see an uncomfortable trend taking shape in the feminist movement world. Feminist movements are considered more 'credible' and 'fundable' when they get (hyper)-institutionalized. When institutionalization happens (in great dependency on governmental or institutional funding), often the core, grassroots values from where feminist movements have originally emerged are compromised over norms that benefit institutional mechanisms. It's an adaptive and often necessary process. The problem? Feminist activism just ends up being commodified by institutional etiquette, politics and norms, which are often a by-product of systems of inequalities. For funders, donors and philanthropists, institutionalized feminist movements will always be safer than grassroots feminist movements. Because they play by the same rules. Those of power, privilege, and oppressive norms. Observing this pattern makes me bolder and louder about the URGENT need to mobilize funds for community-centric, grassroots and activist-led feminist movements. Pushing for resourcing feminist rights defenders, over institutions' defenders is also part of how we do this work right.

Integration of SDGs and ESG Pillars 🌎 For businesses committed to sustainability, effectively categorizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars can streamline strategic planning and operational execution. This approach clarifies how initiatives within these pillars can directly contribute to achieving broader global goals, thus enhancing business impact and compliance. The Environmental Pillar of ESG aligns with SDGs focused on ecological stability, such as Climate Action, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Affordable and Clean Energy. Businesses that enhance their environmental strategies not only adhere to regulatory demands but also drive efficiencies in resource use, which can lead to reduced operational costs and improved market positioning. Under the Social Pillar, SDGs like Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Decent Work and Economic Growth are pivotal. By focusing on these areas, companies can foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment, enhancing employee satisfaction and community relations, which are crucial for long-term business sustainability and customer loyalty. The Governance Pillar supports the achievement of SDGs related to ethical practices and equitable growth, including Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Strengthening governance can help businesses manage risk, operate transparently, and maintain compliance with increasing legal standards, securing trust and support from investors and stakeholders. Integrating SDGs with ESG initiatives allows businesses to not only address specific global challenges but also to enhance their strategic planning processes. This structured approach provides a clear pathway for companies to evaluate their impact, set measurable targets, and communicate progress in a manner that resonates with global standards and stakeholder expectations. Furthermore, while the example diagram shows one method of mapping SDGs to ESG pillars, businesses are encouraged to adapt this framework to better suit their specific contexts and strategic objectives. Understanding and applying this integration effectively empowers companies to tackle complex sustainability challenges, paving the way for innovation and leadership in their industries. By leveraging the SDGs as a guide to categorize and prioritize ESG efforts, businesses can ensure that their sustainability initiatives are not only impactful but also aligned with global objectives, enhancing overall business resilience and reputation. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #climateaction #sdgs #impact #strategy

Today, we’re proud to release the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s latest white paper on climate and development. It offers a clear path for aligning investments to help the world’s poorest countries make faster, smarter progress toward shared global goals. The paper highlights how countries can tackle three imperatives: development, climate adaptation, and climate mitigation. By matching the right type of financing to the right investments, we can maximize impact, no matter the country's distinct needs. Take Ethiopia, a nation that has made remarkable strides but is now struggling under multiple crises—from climate shocks to health emergencies. For such countries, we need new approaches to funding—approaches that don’t pit climate action against human development. This paper outlines a blueprint for policymakers, donors, and institutions to work together, ensuring that resources are directed where they’ll make the most difference. It’s not just about funding more—it’s about funding better. https://lnkd.in/eaqf2GRb #GlobalDevelopment #ClimateFinance #DevelopmentFinance

NGOs in India are treated like ICU patients. They're expected to solve complex social problems, drive systemic change, and transform communities. But we've starved them of the very thing they need most - investment in their organizational capacity. The numbers tell a brutal story. Only 20 NGOs in India had budgets exceeding ₹100 crore in 2021-22. In a nation of 1.4 billion people, with challenges as vast as our geography, our social sector remains tragically underdeveloped. Why? Because we've created a toxic funding culture. We don't walk into a store and ask about the overhead cost of making a shampoo or a car. But when it comes to NGOs, we limit "overhead" to as low as 5%. We demand impact reports but refuse to pay for the people who write them. We expect scale but won't fund the systems that enable it. It's like asking someone to build a skyscraper but only paying for the bricks. The truth is, NGOs aren't failing us. Our funding models are failing them. When donors invested in just one aspect of capacity building - fundraising - the results were transformative. NGOs in A.T.E. Chandra Foundation's study showed 39% budget growth. Their donor base expanded 2.5 times. Their financial runway extended to 15 months. Founders reduced fundraising time from 60% to 40%, allowing them to focus on actual impact. This isn't charity. It's strategic investment. If we want NGOs to be serious partners in building a Viksit Bharat, we need to stop treating them like beggars and start treating them like builders. That means: Allocating up to 20% of grants to organizational capacity. Offering multi-year funding instead of annual handouts. Adopting patient capital mindsets that allow for experimentation. Co-creating success metrics instead of imposing rigid frameworks. Advocating for sector-wide change in how we fund impact. Because the problem isn't that NGOs can't deliver. It's that we've never truly equipped them to succeed. In our obsession with program funding, we've forgotten that organizations, like organisms, need strong hearts to pump blood to their extremities. Strong cores to withstand pressure. Strong minds to innovate solutions. It's time we stopped asking NGOs to do more with less. And started giving them enough to do everything. We’ve seen it at U&I Trust, when you invest in the engine, the mission moves faster. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gEWZ3xyH Gayatri Nair Lobo Poonam Choksi Deepa Varadarajan Tag a non-profit you know that's doing great work & needs more visibility.

Today’s UN figures show that this is the worst of times for many IRC clients. 120 million people have been displaced globally. This number has more than doubled over the past ten years. The figures are shocking—the human misery, even more so. Behind every number is an individual story.   Of particular concern are countries like Sudan, which topped the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist last year (see the report below). Over 9 million people, a world record, have been displaced internally; at least 1.5 million have been forced to flee the country altogether. Over 25 million people are in humanitarian need.   Sudan is also at the very heart of what is increasingly cutting the silhouette of global displacement, at the heart of IRC’s message at COP28: the convergence of conflict and climate. Frequent and intense natural disasters and extreme weather are destroying livelihoods, intensifying conflicts, exacerbating already dire humanitarian crises and uprooting people from their homes as a result. Nearly half of all displaced people are living in countries exposed to conflict and climate-related hazards. The lack of international support to states like Sudan and its neighbours—states that support the vast majority of the world’s refugees—in the form of humanitarian funding, of climate adaptation, of diplomatic muscle, of resettlement slots, means that injustice and human suffering within these communities are also growing.   With 75% of displaced people in poorer rather than richer countries, this is a moment for global responsibility. The forthcoming World Refugee Day should mark a new commitment to help people in need, not just a historic number of people in need. That calls for the private sector, NGOs, governments and multilateral organizations to work together for new solutions. That means the reinforcement of effective diplomacy and deterrence to stop and prevent conflict. It means measures to help people adapt their livelihoods and living to rising temperatures—at the moment the poorest countries get next to no investment in this. And it means addressing the tragic rise in inequality in the poorest war torn and conflict-stressed states. The innocent civilians are the victims not the cause of this, and investment in their dignity and hope is key.   Those fleeing for their lives need protection, dignity and respect. These man-made problems need equal effort in response. This is not too much to ask. https://lnkd.in/dkHqsffk

Just in: UK has cut its aid budget to 0.3% of GDP - the lowest level in decades. This follows the dramatic restructuring at USAID and isn’t a coincidence - it's the new normal. We're watching a perfect storm unfold: right-wing political momentum, defense spending pressures, aging demographics, and mounting fiscal constraints across Western nations. When budgets tighten, foreign assistance - lacking powerful defenders - becomes the easy target. As Europe recalibrates amid changing transatlantic dynamics and Russian assertiveness, expect more aid budgets to fall. The development sector now confronts a critical inflection point. We’ll likely need to aggressively embrace development finance instruments, catalytic philanthropy, and innovative funding models to withstand this political volatility. The transformation of international assistance is underway. How the sector responds will determine its future effectiveness.

If you DON’T work at a nonprofit - this post is for you 🫵 You’ve probably heard about funding freezes by the federal government. You’ve also heard about 1,000 other proclamations, orders and lawsuits - there’s an overwhelming deluge right now. But here’s what this practically means for nonprofits that I guarantee you’ve supported before and care about their mission. I spoke with a community serving nonprofit yesterday that was notified that 20% of their funding - which comes from a variety of federal contracts - would be terminated. These aren’t general operating grants, or prospective future funding. It’s millions of dollars in program-specific multi-year contracts that are in process and already have funds spent, people hired, etc. These are life-saving healthcare services for marginalized and underserved communities that are most at risk. The reason? Executive orders “banning DEI” are worded so broadly that organizations serving marginalized groups can not exist and comply. The result? Expensive and distracting legal proceedings taking more resources from organizations already faced with massive funding shortfalls. Which means an even faster deterioration in the services available to the people and communities most in need. What does this mean for you? Regardless of your political views, this arbitrary “changing of the rules” mid-contract is not how we run a “business friendly” society. And especially if you’re cheering on the “cost cutting” - if that’s what we’re calling this… - then you personally need to show up for these organizations. We need an extraordinary increase in philanthropy this year to avoid losing thousands of critical organizations - and causing sweeping harm to the most vulnerable in our communities across the country and around the world. Are you feeling helpless, concerned, activated or maybe even a little responsible? Wondering what you can do? 1️⃣ Reach out to nonprofits you care about and ask if/how they’re affected and what they need. 2️⃣ Give more - can this be your biggest giving year ever? 3️⃣ Listen - you might be getting a lot of alarmist outreach from nonprofits. Pay attention. They likely aren’t exaggerating with how dire the situation is. They really do need your support now more than ever. 4️⃣ Don’t wait - do not wait until December to do your 2025 giving. Don’t wait to be asked. Just give right now. 5️⃣ By god if you have a DAF… Use it now. This is the rainy day - we’re talking survival. I guarantee you will feel better by getting more engaged with your giving. Be a part of solutions and a part of a community. We are going to get through this together - I really do believe it ❤️ If you’re wondering where & how to support - shoot me a DM. #nonprofit #philanthropy #fundraising 

Here's how I would raise $5,000 a month, every month, if I were a small charity: No galas. No grants. No huge donor base required. Just a simple, repeatable system that actually works. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 50 donors at $25/month = $1,250 in predictable revenue. That's your foundation. Name it something meaningful. Make joining feel like belonging to something bigger. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸. Yes, every week. Not a newsletter—an ask tied to a specific need or a story that connects them to your organization. Most small nonprofits under-ask and under communicate by a mile. Your donors WANT to help. Let them. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝟱𝟬 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. A simple "thank you" or quick impact update. No ask. Just connection. These texts take 30 minutes and keep your best supporters feeling seen. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿. A 3-day push with a clear goal and deadline. "Help us raise $2,000 by Friday to fund summer camp scholarships." Urgency + specificity = action. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆. Within 48 hours of their first gift. The conversion rate will surprise you. This isn't complicated. It's consistent. The charities hitting their goals month after month aren't doing anything fancy. They're just showing up in the inbox, telling great stories, and making it easy to give. What would you add to this list?

BREAKING PHILANTHROPIC NEWS! 🎉 🙌 The NEW 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy launches TODAY! I’m thrilled to share my top three takeaways for donors, nonprofits and professional advisors: DONORS 1. Be self aware: Affluent Americans tell us they are primarily motivated by their personal values (68%) in selecting causes and organizations to support. The key is to ensure that your personal priorities match the community’s greatest needs. 2. Seek underfunded causes for maximum impact: Many important causes receive pennies on the philanthropic dollar. Examples include arts and culture (3%) and the environment (2%). Your contributions are needed and may go further here. 3. Stop limiting your giving to your checkbook: 94% of affluent Americans give using cash, checkbooks and credit cards. Only 4% give publicly traded securities. No no just NO! I understand you are motivated by your values, not taxes, in your giving but PLEASE be tax efficient to enhance the positive impact of your generosity. NONPROFITS 1. Become a trusted advisor: Only 4% of affluent Americans claim they are philanthropic experts. Teach them about your mission, impact, and tax efficient giving strategies. Your effort will be rewarded. Philanthropy experts give 6x more than novices! 2. Welcome back volunteers: One of the most encouraging findings of this year’s Study is that volunteering is on the rebound. Now is the time to supercharge your program. Volunteers give more than 2x non volunteers. 3. Remember fundraising is matchmaking - not sales: See above! The primary motivation for giving is the donor’s personal values - NOT your case for support. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS 1. Lead with legacy: In my experience, virtually all donors want to raise philanthropic kids and grandkids. And, yet only 16% involve the rising generation in their giving. Philanthropic advising and charitable gift planning represent tremendous opportunities to help build family legacies. Your clients will thank you with their loyalty. 2. But, never overlook technical value add: See above! Donors are mostly giving from their checkbooks and need your help ensuring their gifts are tax efficient. Also, the use of giving vehicles is on the rise. 48% of $5MM+ households have a giving vehicle or plan to establish one in the next three years. 3. Connect with women as donors to accelerate the growth of your business: Women are more likely to give (85% vs 77%) and they will outlive their often older male spouse (on average by 5-7 years!). If you want to retain women as clients, connect with them now as donors! For additional insights, please read our digital article: https://lnkd.in/ecgzFep5 More about Bank of America’s award-winning foundation and endowment investment management OCIO 2.0 platform: https://lnkd.in/gV2wtcx3 #fundraising #grantmaking #ocio #whatsnext