FALL 2018
Strategic Impact Investing grants offer
Foundation a new tool for social impact
I
n addition to investing nearly $70 million to date in grant funding to nonprofit health
organizations in Georgia, the social determinants of health — the conditions in which people are
born, grow, live, work, and age — have become an emerging focus for the Healthcare Georgia
Foundation.
Recent trends in philanthropy have provided examples of how private foundations can go beyond
their 5% required asset distribution and leverage the remaining 95%. Thanks to the efforts of
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) as lenders, capacity lenders, and
community partners, strategic impact investing has become a new way for Healthcare Georgia
Foundation to advance the health of all Georgians. In September 2018, the Foundation’s Board of
Directors approved $100,000 to each of the following CDFIs serving Georgia communities — Carver
Financial Corporation, Capital Fund (Capital Link), and ACT! Albany Community Together.
CDFIs have a proven track record of effective investments
addressing many social determinants of health.
“With grant awards to these Community
Development
Financial
Institutions,
Healthcare Georgia Foundation accelerates its
commitment to achieving social impact,
expanding its available financial resources,
leveraging financial partnerships, and creating
new pathways to help communities in Georgia
where health disparities are notable,” said
Gary D. Nelson, PhD, Foundation president.
Within fields of interest that include early childcare and development; healthcare safety net
services for underserved school-aged and adult populations; and healthy aging, the
Foundation plans to make Program Related Investments (PRIs) in 2019 to the CDFIs that show the
greatest potential for improving health outcomes while demonstrating financial sustainability. The
Foundation will limit its investment opportunities to those PRIs that directly benefit Georgia’s
underserved individuals and communities.
The three CDFIs that received Foundation grants this year will also participate in a learning
community to build a strong ecosystem among Foundation grantees, investors, and community
stakeholders.
ADVANCING THE HEALTH OF ALL GEORGIANS
9