Navigating Financial Trends for Effective Social Planning
To set the stage, HelpSeeker is an organization that provides data-driven solutions for social impact leaders on the frontlines of addressing complex societal challenges. They have an impressive network of over 100 partners in small and medium-sized cities across Canada. The presentation was given by several leaders from HelpSeeker and The Sector, their consulting arm focused on social finance.
Highlights
Understanding Funding Flows and Importance of Data
- 130+ social finance intermediaries in Canada managing over $1 billion in assets for impact investing. Significant investor and foundation interest exists.
- Efficient resource allocation, collaboration, sustainability focus, adaptability, and impact measurement enable positive systems change. Data-driven decision making is critical.
Systems Change Landscape
- Systems change requires evolution across all stakeholders including investors, government, communities, nonprofits. Involves disrupting equilibrium and developing collaborative solutions.
- Risks include misaligned asset classes, sporadic component growth, ecosystem delays. Power devolution needed.
Aligning Investment Portfolios
- Portfolios must balance social impact, sustainability, and mitigate systemic inequity risks. Asset classes, place-based impact, thematics, measurement, and governance must align.
Evolution of SPOs
- SPOs evolving into systems planner organizations. Building technical data analysis skills, focusing on specific challenges, and directing financial capital through social capital.