Impact investing has been gaining popularity in recent years as investors seek to make a positive social or environmental impact alongside financial returns. However, education around impact investing principles and strategies remains crucial to further advance the field. This article will examine effective educational initiatives and resources that are promoting the growth of impact investing.
Academic programs focusing on impact investing
Many leading business schools now offer courses, concentrations or even fully dedicated programs on impact investing. These provide foundational knowledge on topics like impact measurement, portfolio construction, deal sourcing and due diligence. For example, the Wharton School offers an impact investing course covering frameworks to assess social impact and financial returns. The Fuqua School of Business has the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship which includes education on impact investing. Outside of the classroom, student-run clubs focused on impact are also emerging.
Industry workshops and conferences for investors
Major industry conferences have started dedicated tracks on impact investing, signaling the demand for education amongst traditional investors. The Milken Institute hosts an Annual Global Conference with programming on impact investing. Similarly, SOCAP hosts a multiday conference to engage various stakeholders in driving impact capital. Smaller workshops are also held by organizations like Toniic and Confluence Philanthropy to train asset owners and wealth managers.
Online courses and certifications in impact investing
Many educational institutions and nonprofits now provide online courses to make impact investing principles accessible to a broader audience. EdX offers a course on impact investing in partnership with Morgan Stanley, while Coursera has a specialization from Wharton. Candid offers a 100% online Certificate in Impact Investing for Foundations & Individual Investors. Such programs allow participants to learn on demand from top experts in the field.
Impact investment simulations and case competitions
Hands-on learning can be highly effective at building impact investing skills. Many business schools and industry groups now host simulations or case competitions focused on impact. At Harvard Business School, students manage a $25 million impact investing fund and take real-world pitches from social entrepreneurs. Toniic hosts an annual case competition for asset owners to practice constructing impact portfolios.
In summary, a range of impact investing education initiatives from academic programs to industry workshops are enriching the talent pipeline and capabilities within the impact ecosystem. Investors must proactively seek out these resources to integrate impact into their practices. As education expands further, impact investing can accelerate its progress in channeling more capital to address social and environmental issues.