Impact Investing Institute

Impact investing is no longer a side activity of philanthropy. It has become a central function of many foundations that are interested in making a bigger impact with available resources. Join MCF for this day-long conversation about the ins and outs of impact investing.

Designed for impact investors of all stripes – whether you’re just starting your first investment or you’re advanced in the work – this gathering is made for you.

Institute Goals

• Understand the latest trends and creative approaches to impact investing
• Learn about many of the better practices, including time-tested and successful strategies for investing
• Connect and coordinate with peers working in the philanthropic setting 

Institute Agenda

9:30 - 11:00: Registration and Refreshments: If you'll attend the pre-conference session, please arrive before 10:00 a.m. Others may arrive anytime before 11:00 a.m.

10:00 – 10:45: Pre-Conference Learning: This time is designed for newer investors and beginners in the impact investing world. Led by Susan Hammel, CFA, Executive in Residence for Impact Investing, Minnesota Council on Foundations, we will dive-in to conversations that will help you explore your first steps and overcome early hurdles of your impact investing actions. For those attending this session, we ask you to watch this video, Impact Investing 101, before attending the institute.

11:00 – 12:00: Opening Keynote: Today’s Top Trends in Impact Investing featuring Cynthia Muller, Director, Mission Driven Investments, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Cynthia, a national leader in the field, brings perspectives from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an early adopter of impact investing and an institution that is dedicated to cultivating a thoughtful strategic approach to investments. Cynthia will share perspectives from a national lens and will highlight the many aspects of the foundation's work including the focus on place-based investments and on creating positive outcomes for children, families, and communities.

12:00 – 12:45: Luncheon: Peer Conversations: Over lunch, attendees will be invited to sit at tables segmented by foundation type. Each group will have conversation starters and plenty of open-space to engage in conversation with organizations operating in similar contexts. Take time to get to know your statewide peers, dig-in to questions and opportunities, and learn about the good work happening across Minnesota. Conversations will be hosted by:

• Corporate giving programs: Tariq Malik, Second Vice President, Securian and Director, Securian Financial Foundation
• Private independent foundations: Karla Miller, Program Director, and Ramya Rauf, Chief Financial Officer, Northwest Area Foundation
• Private family foundations: Patrick Troska, Executive Director, Rooted Philanthropic
• Community and public foundations: Elise Wiener, Chief Financial Officer, CommunityGiving

1:00 – 1:45: Workshop: Tips & Tricks for Closing a Deal Successfully: Learn tips and tricks for closing a deal and setting up an investment for long-term success. Presenters will offer their own insights and will create opportunities for small group conversations as we explore the art of the deal. Presenters will include Brianna Mooty, Counsel; Tiffany Reeves, Partner; and Brendan Wilson, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath and Elizabeth McGeveran, Director of Investments, McKnight Foundation.

2:00 – 2:45: Workshop: Place-Based Investing: Hear from a peer Minnesota-based foundation as they share their learnings about place-based investing. We'll have time to engage in small group conversations as well as whole-group Q&A. Led by Karla Miller, Program Director, and Ramya Rauf, Chief Financial Officer, Northwest Area Foundation.

3:00 – 4:00: Closing Keynote: Investment Integration: Systems-Level Thinking for Systems-Level Resilience: Join this national debut as the team of The Investment Integration Project join us for their first national conversation about their newest report: ReCalibrating Feedback Loops. An essential component of the framework is ensuring that an investor’s policies, programs, and practices are aligned with their overarching system-level goals—do all actions work in the direction of a healthier and more resilient system? Presenters will include Monique Aiken, Managing Director; William Burckart, CEO; and Melissa Eng, IMM Specialist, The Investment Integration Project.

4:00 – 5:30: Social Hour: Continue the conversation with new peers and old friends. Hosted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided. Sponsored by Faegre Drinker.

Reach out to Paul Masiarchin for further details, pmasiarchin@mcf.org. In order to create the best in-person experience, this event will not be simulcast. Learn more here.

Thanks to Our Sponsor

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