Merging finance and social impact to make a better world
Access to clean water, decent toilets, and hygiene (WASH) isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a powerful economic catalyst. WaterAid’s report found that closing the WASH gap in developing countries could unleash trillions in economic benefits by improving productivity, reducing health costs, and promoting gender equality.
Earlier this year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) released a landmark longitudinal study (with Harvard and the U.S. Treasury) revealing that one-to-one youth mentorship substantially improves long-term economic and social outcomes. Tracking participants from adolescence into young adulthood, the study shows a 15%–20% earnings gain, increased college attendance, reduced behavior issues, and improved social wellbeing.
This bold, no-strings-attached approach targeted families with children or expectant parents living below the Federal Poverty Level. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial by UPenn’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research and UCLA, the results reveal significant social and economic benefits—without trade-offs.
Bottom Line is a college access and success program proven to help low-income, first-generation students not just enroll in college—but graduate. Backed by a rigorous, multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT), Bottom Line delivers a measurable lift in bachelor’s degree attainment at a cost that’s highly efficient by education ROI standards.
Museums and humanities nonprofits are more than cultural treasures—they’re economic engines and community anchors. From preserving history and sparking curiosity to revitalizing neighborhoods and boosting mental health, these institutions deliver measurable returns on investment (ROI) that extend far beyond gallery walls.
Prison education doesn’t just change lives—it also saves taxpayer dollars. A sweeping meta-analysis from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy shows that education programs for incarcerated individuals yield up to a 210% return on investment, reduce recidivism, and improve post-release employment and wages.
Mission Animal Hospital, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in the Twin Cities, demonstrates that investing in pet health yields significant social and economic returns. Their recent SROI study, conducted in partnership with the ASPCA, reveals that every dollar contributed generates a total social return of $4.64.
In today’s economy, a college degree is often seen as the ticket to career success. But for many economically disadvantaged young adults, traditional academic paths aren’t accessible or aligned with the fast-paced needs of employers. Enter Year Up—a workforce development program that’s rewriting the rules by combining job training, corporate internships, and career coaching to help underserved youth secure well-paying careers.
For decades, improving college graduation rates—particularly for low-income and underprepared students—has been one of higher education’s toughest challenges. But the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) has cracked the code.
Community Health Workers serve as vital connectors between underserved communities and healthcare systems. MHP Salud highlights the significant economic and health benefits these programs offer, emphasizing that investments in CHWs not only improve health outcomes but also yield substantial financial returns.