Impact investing in NH takes national TEDx stage

In July, the Foundation’s Kevin Peterson took a national stage at TEDxFargo 2017 — one of the largest independent TEDx events in the country — to share a great idea with the world: Impact investing.

Impact investing means putting money into companies, organizations and funds with the intention of generating a profit and improving people’s lives. It’s a classic double-bottom line: Financial return plus economic, social and environmental benefit.

At the Foundation, that means taking a percentage of our endowment — about $12 million in 2017 — and investing it locally: to do things like help the Littleton Food Coop expand, help create high-paying jobs at companies like Dyn, and support the Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore fisheries in the Gulf of Maine.

Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the Fargo Civic Center to hear 22 presentations organized around the theme of “What are you FOR?” Speakers addressed topics ranging from promoting the arts and music for social change, to fighting discrimination against Muslims and transgender people, to combating addiction, and getting more students involved with computer science.

Kevin also worked with colleagues at the Fargo Moorhead Area Foundation, helping in their effort to launch their own impact investing program in Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota.

Check out Kevin’s TEDx presentation:

To hear all the other TEDxFargo talks, visit TEDxFargo.com.

Want to learn more about the Charitable Foundation’s impact investing program? Contact Simon Delekta at 603-225-6641 ext. 22297 or Michael Wilson at 603-225-6641 ext. 23230.