Impact Investing Hub
The Impact Investing Hub at the George Washington University’s Institute for Corporate Responsibility is the first university impact incubator to explicitly bridge the gap between theory and practice. To do so, the Hub will address three key challenges in the impact investing space: Project Incubation and Validation, Research and Engagement, and Education.
Vision
We seek to significantly expand the assets devoted to impact investing projects by helping to address the barriers to increased funding and by strengthening the effectiveness of field operations.
Mission
We aim to connect impact investing theory with practice in three primary activities: develop, manage and verify proof-of-concept projects; convene focused discussions of diverse stakeholders to share lessons learned; and educate the next generation of leaders in order to realize our vision.
Partners
Project Incubation and Validation
The Hub will:
- Incubate early-stage impact investing pilot projects
- Conduct pilot projects to demonstrate proof-of-concept
- Issue Impact Investing Hub validation of successful projects and pass them on to scaling partners
1. Business Case Discovery
Exploring innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental issues. Phase focus is discovering the business case for quantifiable impact and market-rate returns
2.PreFeasibility
Documentation of Impact Investing Solution, including: impact assessment, financial feasibility assessment, and business model for an impact investment solution. Design principles that outline expanded impact, higher financial return, and lower risk
3.Feasibility
Extensive detailed report connecting PreFeasibility to specific entities (people, orgs) with more concrete analysis of partners and costs.
4.Active Pilot Project
Partner with organization to collaborate project management and funding
5.Scaling Hand-off
Generate feasible impact projects that can be brought to scale with outside partners
Research and Engagement
The Hub will research potential impact investing projects and bring together diverse stakeholders to share best practices and lessons learned.
- Undergraduate Internship Program:
- The internship involves working with the GW Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR) and the GW Impact Investment Hub (IIH) on research projects which will be used to construct Pre-Feasibility studies targeting impact investors. The internship is ideal for students with a strong interest in sustainability and social impact business models. Successful candidates will have one or more skills and experiences involving: financial analysis, research and data collection, subject knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Education
The Hub will train the next generation of impact investing professionals, providing formal education in broad competencies in impact investing to match the multidisciplinary, multistakeholder, and multiple funding sources requirements of successful impact investments while increasing the number of well-trained professionals in the space.
Support the Impact Investing Hub
Select ‘Institute for Corporate Responsibility’ Under Fund Choice.
Next Generation Impact (NGI)
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Next Generation Impact (NGI), in partnership with the GW Impact Investing Hub. As part of the Hub’s mission to expand the scale and effectiveness of impact investing, NGI promotes our belief that the next phase of the industry will be driven by collaboration across sectors and by professionals committed to rethinking how impact investing delivers both impact and financial performance. We believe the NGI represents an important opportunity to expand interest and engagement in impact investing.
Next Generation Impact (NGI) serves as a platform for professionals across diverse industries who are dedicated to making an impact within, or seeking to engage with, the impact investment community. NGI is grounded in the belief that impact investing can bridge financing gaps in the development space by leveraging private sector and impact capital. We acknowledge that the industry has not reached its full potential, falling short of what is possible in terms of both impact and returns. Through the NGI Network, we aim to help reimagine and strengthen the impact investing ecosystem by building a collaborative, cross-sector community; led by the next generation of impact investors. We welcome professionals from all impact-oriented backgrounds, across both public and private sectors, including those beginning or navigating transitions in their careers.
NGI is a fee-based membership initiative that offers members exclusive programming including mentoring webinars; a monthly newsletter; and, in-person convenings, all designed to foster learning, connection, and cross-sector dialogue.
Please follow NGI’s LinkedIn Page to stay updated on events, news, and opportunities.
Membership registration information coming soon.
To contact NGI please email Hannah Ettelstein at contactnextgenimpact
gmail [dot] com (contactnextgenimpact[at]gmail[dot]com).