Making an Impact: Investing in Education to Improve the Lives of Millions

Considered unrealistic a decade ago, investors today earn market-rate returns while producing measurable positive benefits for society. With the rise of sustainable investing and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies in recent years, more investors seek to align their capital with their values. The growth has been astonishing. More than $17 trillion – or $1 out of every $3 professionally invested in the US – are invested with consideration for some form of sustainable investing as part of an investment strategy.¹

With an estimated $715 billion under management globally, impact investing is a small but fast-growing subset of the sustainable investing movement.² Impact investors often provide capital where commercial providers won’t – because risks are perceived as too high or return potential too low. Many endowments, foundations, and high net worth investors are drawn to the “triple bottom line” proposition of impact investing: generating positive social and environmental benefits and a financial return.

There are many sub-categories of this type of investing; for example sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, innovative healthcare, and affordable housing. Our specialist area of education is a niche sector which has drawn a lot of interest from our clients. We think it presents a compelling opportunity to drive meaningful impact.

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¹USSIF data as of 12/31/2020
²Global Impact Investing Network data, as of 12/31/2020