Engaged Philanthropy and Impact Investing

Family Enterprise Foundation, in collaboration with the B-Corp Wider Sense, are building an online course on the topic of Engaged Philanthropy and Impact Investing, aimed at business families who are dedicated to using their knowledge, resources and desire to create an impact and make a difference within their communities, countries and around the world.

Financial investments can have real social value as well. Taking a holistic view of investment and philanthropic activity gives rise to a so-called unified investment strategy: investors employ both financial and non-financial resources in order to achieve financial, social and ecological goals. Here, financial returns and financial risks are paired with social returns and social risks.

The course will appeal to all members of the business family with a specific focus on the Next Generation members. The work of Wider Sense, but also an increasing body of literature, documents the importance of the next generations perception of giving and investing for the future of philanthropy and doing good overall.

The key objectives are:

• Define what is philanthropy and provide perspective on its use and impact
• Develop a stronger understanding of how to evolve from philanthropy (or giving) to engaged, strategic philanthropy
• Reflect on criticism of philanthropy and new movements within it (ex. transformative philanthropy)
• Increase awareness of the unifying forces of engaged philanthropy for a family
• Explore common elements of engaged philanthropy: giving tools, strategies of giving monitoring/evaluation & communication

Core areas – Family Purpose, Giving Back, Philanthropy, Impact Investing

• Introduction: What is Philanthropy and what impact has it had?
• Unit 1: Philanthropy Overall: Values, Vision, Mission & the Rising Gens
• Unit 2: Exploring Your Philanthropic Assets
• Unit 3: Envisioning your Family’s Philanthropy in Practice
• Unit 4: Getting Ready to Give
• Unit 5: Philanthropy Best Practices & Impact Investing