The Good Capitalist
January 2011
Issue: 19
This issue we highlight two stellar initiatives that combine a mix of social and environmental value in new and scalable ways. Both projects will be highlighted and raising money at SOCAP/Europe.

Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, a people's movement that went the other way from Chiapas, but became firmly entrenched in the environmental and development worlds is selling some of the highest priced carbon in the world. Coming to understand why they can charge that premium doesn't just make environmentally minded funders understand the importance of poverty alleviation. It also forces social first funders to understand the linked nature of environmental value. It requires two siloed groups to use a new set of lenses, borrowed from the other.

Likewise, Grassroots Business Fund's migration from a non-profit experiment to a scalable for-profit $60 million impact investment fund while retaining all the deep mission focused value of the non profit's technical assistance requires investors to understand donor value mixed with a deal that offers real financial return. Again, a set of lenses to see the blended value created by non profit and for profit capital coming to the table in new ways is what's needed to get the picture. 

That kind of deep linking of blended social and environmental value is at the core of what we are going to be talking about and getting done at SOCAP/Europe. GBF will still be raising funds with an end of June deadline when we help them tell their story at SOCAP/Europe.

Sincerely,
Kevin Jones & Team
Social Capital Market
Lens
From Pilot Project to Tripling in Size in Three Years: Grassroots Business Fund shows what scale means
By: Kevin Jones

Innovation abounds in the social capital market. The number of one-off proof of concept projects is increasing geometrically. On the other hand, the number of groundbreaking pilots that triple in size, and shift from asking for grants to offering a financial return within three years, can be counted on one hand. Grassroots Business Fund is in that select group. >>>Read More
Sierra Gorda Brings Social Impact to Carbon Sales: Social and Environmental Value Combine for Impact
By: Kevin Jones

A Mexican people's movement in an arid rural area is about to come to market with some of the highest priced and heavily validated carbon and ecosystem services on the planet. Because it creates a unique mix of social and environmental value, the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve's luxury niche carbon offset has a hard time telling its story to donors who are often focused principally either on the planet or on the people, but less often both. >>>Read More
In This Issue
Grassroots Business Fund Triples in Size
Sierra Gorda Brings Social Impact to Carbon Sales
UN Foundation helps Sierra Gorda
Un Foundation
People's movement creates indigenous capital, sells it back to the West at a premium


UN Foundation helps Sierra Gorda's people create a unique blend of environmental and social impact.

"We got involved with Sierra Gorda in 2004," said Ryan Hobert, Deputy Director of the UN Foundation's Climate and Energy Program "We wanted to offset all of our current and historical green house gas emissions, our heating, our cooling, and our air travel. >>>Read More.



Stay Connected
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn



Social Capital Market News Briefs

African Agriculture fund first closes on US$135 Million - The private equity fund designed to respond to the food crises looks for optimal diversification by investing across the value chain. >>>Read More. 


Impact Investing in Sustainable Agriculture for a New Economy - Conservationist Pioneer, Allan Savory, catches the eye of profit-driven investors and international development agencies alike by using a holistic approach to mitigating the effects of agribusiness. >>>Read More.


A Big Bang is coming in Korea, but not the kind you may think  - While Korean turmoil splashes across mainstream news, there is another story of social enterprise promotion brewing underneath the surface. >>>Read More.


Social Edge to award 20 Social Entrepreneurs a full scholarship to the 2011 Global Social Benefit Incubator - Individuals behind the winning applications will partake in 4 month online participation in preparation for a 2-week intensive in-residence program. >>>Read More.


Latin American Impact Investment Forum to be hosted in February-  The Forum, held by New Ventures Mexico in Yucatan, will mark the launch of exciting impact investment movement in Mexico.

>>>Read More.

Urban Ecological Systems Get Funding for Multi Million Dollar Project -  The huge vote of confidence will go towards building the first commercial project near Sydney. Mitra Adron of Natural Innovation calls for individuals interested in investing in the core company. >>>Read More.


Berkshares Loan Program aims to link value of currency to local production -There may be a lesson to learn from residents and businesses of the Berkshire region of Massachusetts who have traded 2.8 million Berkshares in support of a 'buy local' initiative. >>>Read More.


Change Generation: Entrepreneur Summit Heads for Open Waters- The founders behind the invitation-only Summit Series (part TED, part networking & part extreme sporting event) discuss who they are, what they do, what challenges they face and more prior to their upcoming event that will be held in the middle of the ocean. >>>Read More.


Unilever backs small farmers - Oxfam will support the organization in diversifying their supply chain by purchasing from small farmers in developing countries. >>>Read More.


Inner City Advisors welcomes Merriwether & Williams to Portfolio Inner City Advisors whose portfolio includes companies such as Blue Bottle Coffee, Revolution Foods and Numi Organic Teas recently announced the addition of Merriwether & Williams for their work in driving inner city economic development. >>>Read More.


CO+AP.org launching to use Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty- Exciting progress is happening towards launching the initiative that will empower individuals in developed countries to match their carbon footprint with forestry projects in least developed countries.  >>>Read More. 


Mandela Marketplace recognizes that small successes can make big change in local food- Ownership opportunities for community residents, business apprenticeships for local youth, support for local farm families are just some 2010 accomplishments towards a sustainable and equitable food systems in the Bay Area. >>>Read More.


Social Change Collaboratory Meetup Launches - The Inaugural event to be held in Melbourne, Australia aims to reveal opportunities for collaboration, improve work, build friendships and more across a spectrum of chance consultants, social enterprise and nonprofit workers. >>>Read More.


Business Schools Embrace Do-Gooders- Business schools race to meet student's  demand for learning how to utilize skills in support of a socially beneficial outcome instead of on Wall Street.

>>>Read More.


2011 - The Year of Fighting Over What Works- Matthew Bishop, co-author of Philanthrocapitalism, predicts a battle over the relationship of profit and philanthropy in 2011. >>>Read More.


Mills College Seeks Director of Socially Responsible Business- Mills College is a highly regarded women's liberal arts college in San Francisco. >>>Read More.


Be a voice for change with Conscious Living TV who is looking for contributors- The team who won an Emmy for their 'Soul of Green' reporting is growing. >>>Read More.