Impact investments are investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return (GIIN, 2011).
These investments can be classified in two categories:
Mission-Related Investments (MRI): MRIs are financial investments made in either for-profit or non-profit enterprises with the intent of achieving mission-related objectives and normally earning market-rate financial returns. Financial instruments in this category include bonds and deposits, loans and mezzanine capital, public equity, private equity, and venture capital investments.
Program-Related Investments (PRI): PRIs are investments made to charities as well as for-profit and non-profit enterprises to further the Foundation’s program objectives, but, unlike grants, they also aim to generate financial returns, with a tolerance for below-market returns.
By 2020, the Foundation expects to meet and exceed its 10% target of total assets invested in impact investments. We are currently targeting investments through intermediaries in the following domains:
The Foundation’s impact investing portfolio contains a diverse set of transactions with various financial and impact risk and return (IRR) profiles. Expected financial returns range from inflation-adjusted repayment of principal to 20% expected IRR. The end-beneficiaries and targets of our investments are charities, non-profits, for-profit social ventures, for-profit start-ups, projects and even corporations. While our investees may vary, they are all delivering impact and furthering societal transformation on multiple levels and in a number of domains.
This fund focuses on investing in small- to medium-sized expansion-stage private companies that are promoting sustainable solutions in food and agriculture in the North American Market.
Investment:
Private Equity
Real Ventures is an investment platform that supports the entrepreneur-led start-up ecosystem in Montreal. The venture capital Fund invests in early stage companies that embrace the technological opportunity of artificial
Real Ventures is an investment platform that supports the entrepreneur-led start-up ecosystem in Montreal. The venture capital Fund invests in early stage companies that embrace the technological opportunity of artificial intelligence to disrupt existing industries and business models.
Investment:
Private Equity
This fund invests in expansion-phase companies at the forefront of social and environmental innovation in the North American market.
Investment:
Private Equity
This fund invests in expansion-phase companies at the forefront of social and environmental innovation in the North American market.
Investment:
Private Equity
This fund invests in extension-phase companies that provide products, services and technologies that make the design, building or operations of real estate and related infrastructure more energy efficient. Investment: $2,000,000 Private
This fund invests in extension-phase companies that provide products, services and technologies that make the design, building or operations of real estate and related infrastructure more energy efficient.
Investment:
Private Equity
The Fund provides funding and support to Canadian companies pursuing social and environmental outcomes with business models that are scalable.
Investment:
Private Equity
The fund invests a portfolio of renewable power assets, primarily focused on wind and solar in OECD countries. It is an opportunity to participate in the transition to a lower
The fund invests a portfolio of renewable power assets, primarily focused on wind and solar in OECD countries. It is an opportunity to participate in the transition to a lower carbon economy.
Investment:
Infastructure
Area One Farms operates private equity funds in the Canadian farmland sector. They partner with established farm operators to acquire off-market farmland, enabling family farms to expand and improve their
Area One Farms operates private equity funds in the Canadian farmland sector. They partner with established farm operators to acquire off-market farmland, enabling family farms to expand and improve their financial returns while incorporating sustainable practices.
Investment:
Private Equity
MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. is a Montreal-based merchant bank, that structures and manages private investments in the clean technology market. The Fund invests in growth-stage companies in the renewable energy,
MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. is a Montreal-based merchant bank, that structures and manages private investments in the clean technology market. The Fund invests in growth-stage companies in the renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and transportation-related sectors.
Investment:
Private Equity
Cycle Capital is a Private Equity firm financing entrepreneurs with sustainable technology innovations. The Fund invests in commercialization-stage clean technology ventures in the North American market.
Investment:
Private Equity
The Rose Affordable Housing Fund intends to acquire, transform and actively manage affordable, mixed-income and workforce multi-family housing in high-demand, transit-oriented locations in the USA.
Investment:
Private Equity
By developing renewable energy projects and infrastructure across Canada, often investing in partnership with Indigenous communities, Stonebridge’s investments support more resilient
By developing renewable energy projects and infrastructure across Canada, often investing in partnership with Indigenous communities, Stonebridge’s investments support more resilient and lower-carbon communities.
Investment:
Private Debt
Bridges is one of the first fund managers in the world to launch an impact investing fund. The Fund invests in the real estate sector by focusing on
Bridges is one of the first fund managers in the world to launch an impact investing fund. The Fund invests in the real estate sector by focusing on niche markets with high development potential through direct management of corporate assets or joint venture partnerships.
Investment:
Private Equity
Real Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on building the Canadian startup ecosystem. They provide stage-specific guidance, mentorship, and access to networks and resources to fast-track founders’
Real Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on building the Canadian startup ecosystem. They provide stage-specific guidance, mentorship, and access to networks and resources to fast-track founders’ personal and company growth.
Investment:
Private Equity
Amplify Capital II invests in early-stage, impact focused companies that advance UN Sustainable Development Goals and that have a B
Amplify Capital II invests in early-stage, impact focused companies that advance UN Sustainable Development Goals and that have a B Corp rating for best practices in environmental, social and governance standards.
Investment:
Private Equity
This fund supports non-profits and charities by providing loans and financing that would otherwise be unavailable to small- and medium-sized organizations.
Investment:
Shares in an Evergreen loan fund
This loan guarantee was issued to leverage financing for the organization’s demonstration green building, the first new construction to receive LEED Platinum Certification in Quebec, aiming to inspire everyone from
This loan guarantee was issued to leverage financing for the organization’s demonstration green building, the first new construction to receive LEED Platinum Certification in Quebec, aiming to inspire everyone from property developers to the general public.
Investment:
Loan Guarantee
This fund will support non-profit partners with equity capital to address the critical community need for affordable rental housing, initially, in the Greater Vancouver Area.
Investment:
Private Equity
This debt fund allows housing cooperatives and non-profits to buy buildings and perform necessary renovations to create healthy, safe, and affordable housing for people and families in urban areas. Investment:
This debt fund allows housing cooperatives and non-profits to buy buildings and perform necessary renovations to create healthy, safe, and affordable housing for people and families in urban areas.
Investment:
Private Debt
The New Market Funds Society is a charity with the mission of improving efficiency and effectiveness of charities by developing impact investing products across Canada.
Investment:
Recoverable Grant
Fiducie manages financial tools for the Chantier de l’Economie Sociale. This fund provides debt to student housing co-operatives and not-for-profits to build and operate affordable student housing. Investment: $2 million Private
Fiducie manages financial tools for the Chantier de l’Economie Sociale. This fund provides debt to student housing co-operatives and not-for-profits to build and operate affordable student housing.
Investment:
Private Debt
La Caisse d’Économie Solidaire Desjardins is a financial institution dedicated to non-profits, unions, and social enterprises in Quebec. This loan guarantee program allows the Caisse to provide credit to community
La Caisse d’Économie Solidaire Desjardins is a financial institution dedicated to non-profits, unions, and social enterprises in Quebec. This loan guarantee program allows the Caisse to provide credit to community sector organizations at lower borrowing rates.
Investment:
Direct Loan Guarantee
Aki Energy is an Indigenous-led social enterprise enabling clean energy solutions in remote communities. This recoverable grant, structured through Raven Capital Partners as an intermediary, supports the installation of 26
Aki Energy is an Indigenous-led social enterprise enabling clean energy solutions in remote communities. This recoverable grant, structured through Raven Capital Partners as an intermediary, supports the installation of 26 geothermal units in Fisher River Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation.
Investment:
Recoverable grant
Fiducie manages financial tools for the Chantier de l’Economie Sociale. This fund provides patient loans to not-for-profit and co-operative housing operators to repair and renovate affordable housing units. Investment: $1
Fiducie manages financial tools for the Chantier de l’Economie Sociale. This fund provides patient loans to not-for-profit and co-operative housing operators to repair and renovate affordable housing units.
Investment:
Private Debt Fund
This Community Bond finances Windmill’s loan capital, enabling the organization to provide additional loans to skilled immigrants and refugees seeking to
This Community Bond finances Windmill’s loan capital, enabling the organization to provide additional loans to skilled immigrants and refugees seeking to continue their careers in Canada and achieve economic prosperity.
Investment:
$7.5 million
Private Debt
The Fund seeks to revitalize the Indigenous economy in Canada by investing venture capital in early- and growth-stage Indigenous-led enterprises. The
The Fund seeks to revitalize the Indigenous economy in Canada by investing venture capital in early- and growth-stage Indigenous-led enterprises. The manager supports its investees with partnerships, business guidance, and network connections in addition to financial capital.
Investment:
$1 million
Private Equity
Windmill is a real estate company that invests in community assets such as libraries, theatres
Windmill is a real estate company that invests in community assets such as libraries, theatres and churches. It controls and develops mixed-use development and renovation sites in Canada.
Investment:
$10 million
Private Equity
Efficiency Capital offers full-service project management (from scoping to implementation and management) that increases energy efficiency in buildings. Over 20 years, Efficiency Capital forecasts that this work
Efficiency Capital offers full-service project management (from scoping to implementation and management) that increases energy efficiency in buildings. Over 20 years, Efficiency Capital forecasts that this work will help reduce carbon emissions by 300K tonnes.
Investment:
$250,000
Loan
The Fund supports social enterprises in the Ontario local food sector through loans, mentoring and training, enabling them to exist
The Fund supports social enterprises in the Ontario local food sector through loans, mentoring and training, enabling them to exist and grow.
Investment:
$250,000
Loan
Kaleidoscope invests in social real-estate, offers loans for start-ups and business expansion, and other types of financing for individuals wishing
Kaleidoscope invests in social real-estate, offers loans for start-ups and business expansion, and other types of financing for individuals wishing to return to school or work, or those seeking to acquire affordable housing.
Investment:
$250,000
Loan
The Rental Housing Fund II supports permanent affordable rental housing development by acquiring newly constructed or renovated affordable rental housing
The Rental Housing Fund II supports permanent affordable rental housing development by acquiring newly constructed or renovated affordable rental housing developments, or by acquiring for-profit rental properties for conversion to non-profit, charitable, co-operative or government ownership.
Investment:
$3,000,000
Private Equity
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