Social Finance

For six years, RSF Social Finance has been the primary organizational partner for Play BIG, an intimate annual convening I lead that espouses the idea of activating one’s “whole portfolio” to mission. Play BIG emerged from pioneering work that Carol Newell funded in British Columbia. It is designed for aspiring and experienced investor/ philanthropists who have many millions in discretionary wealth, recognize the dire planetary situation, and want to direct their money toward solutions.

Obesity and diabetes rates in the United States have hit an all-time high. More than two in three American adults are considered overweight today, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a health research center. Children are no better off, reporting skyrocketing increases in new Type-2 diabetes cases; a condition previously unheard of in people under 30.

Amy Bird joined RSF Social Finance in June of this year, and is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with education borrowers. RSF’s communications manager, Enrique Perez, recently interviewed Amy about her journey from student to globetrotter to move-and-shaker in the Waldorf education movement.

Kate Danaher, RSF Social Finance Lending Manager, talks with Chris Mann of Guayakí and Rob Everts of Equal Exchange.

Here is why I was as excited as every kid dressed up in a Halloween costume this past Saturday who realized the house on the corner was giving out king-size candy bars: this stadium is aiming to be the world’s first LEED® Platinum professional sports stadium. And I can take public transportation to it. Dang I live in a cool city.

A sustainable first: Solar EV charging station connects Atlanta, GA and Montgomery, AL for EV drivers

Corporate brand is not just about what you do, it’s about who you are as an organization. I’ve talked before about how that brand has become a key to attracting and keeping your workforce. One of the crucial components to a company’s brand centers on the choices it makes in the world of philanthropy. It’s not just a question of sharing wealth in a responsible way, but about choosing those with whom you share it in a way that reflects the values held by your company and its employees.

Why does America imprison 2.3 million people, a higher percentage of its population than any other free society on earth? And why does this group disproportionately represent African-American and Hispanic men? In large part, it is because the public defense system in this country is constitutionally inadequate.

RSF Social Finance is pleased to announce the 2015-2016 Social Impact Fellows. This cohort marks RSF’s sixth year of the fellowship program. The fellowship is designed to support the development of the next generation of inspiring leaders in the social finance field. RSF also seeks to bring a fresh perspective to the organization’s business development activities.