How foundations, pension plans, organizations and individuals invest their assets has the power to fight climate change, nurture responsible government and drive social change. Raising awareness of responsible options can push investors towards sustainable options.
Black-led, Black-serving organizations receive about 0.7 percent of Canadian philanthropic dollars. The IRP’s boost in support could help them gain greater access to the country’s social innovation ecosystem.
Many Canadian foundations, pension funds and individual investors are trying to align their investments with their values by getting rid of fossil fuels or divesting stocks invested in corporate laggards. But many find it tough to assess whether their investment managers are truly investing in a values-aligned way or just “greenwashing” their portfolios.
Business degrees are the most sought-after post-secondary education in Canada. But if students graduate without learning about how business can be a force for good, Canada risks having a corporate class that only orients toward profit.
Access to finance is a major difficulty for social innovation leaders, but some countries around the world are overcoming these difficulties through national policy. Canada could stand to learn a few lessons.
