We started Mission Driven Finance because we believe that finance can be a tool for change, not just for perpetuating itself. Amidst 2020’s upheaval—and largely because of it—we’ve had more and more folks reaching out to explore using finance in creative ways. Our communities deserve innovation and intention in everything we do.
I recently discussed our impact approach and alternative term sheets on Social Venture Circle’s NEXT Economy LIVE series. We talked about the Freedom100 Fund, which amplifies philanthropy with investment capital to free 100 people from immigration prisons in California and Louisiana.
Morgan Simon of Candide Group devoted a recent Forbes column to explore how we can drive change in the unjust and inefficient immigration bond system. We deployed initial capital in July and already our partners at Freedom for Immigrants have used this capital to post bonds freeing twenty-two people from ICE jails and prisons.
Imagine the change we could create if we used innovative finance for more of the world’s most pressing problems. Our friends at Zebras Unite & Common Future are doing just that with next week's Inclusive Capital Showcase, where I'll be in the company of amazing financial innovators. Join us on Thursday, 9/10.
To learn more about accelerating Freedom100, please reach out to Heather Burke, director of investor relations.
Stay well and take care of each other,
Lauren Grattan
Co-Founder & Chief Community Officer
Kerri Leslie launched Verity after noticing that a lot of packaging for beauty products is not fully recyclable. Even "compostable" plastics get processed with chemicals that end up causing further pollution. This cycle disproportionately affects low-income communities. We partnered with Verity because we saw potential in this woman-owned business to bring quality jobs to its headquarters in San Marcos, CA, and make an impactful change in the beauty industry.
Driven by servant leadership, Catherine Rells, Dr. Steven Ross, and Dr. James Padilla set out to improve health outcomes one person at a time. They launched Gene Tox Lab Solutions (GTLS) and created a platform that facilitates the genetics testing process. It seamlessly manages communications for the customer, patient, and primary care provider. We partnered with Gene Tox Lab Solutions to help them train and employ an inclusive workforce in underserved communities.
We are always looking for enterprises and organizations interested in using finance as a tool for change. Know anyone?
Laura Galinson has been an award-winning photographer, publicist at HarperCollins, and bookseller at a beloved bookstore frequented by Dr. Seuss. Now, she’s adding director of community relations at Mission Driven Finance to her career. As a long-time philanthropist, Laura sees impact investing as a way to create meaningful change.
"Impact investing is the next big thing in philanthropy. It’s a social justice movement—an activist movement.” See why Laura invests in her community.
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