Merging finance and social impact to make a better world
All adults have economic opportunity and lead productive lives
Emma’s Torch isn’t just serving brunch—it’s serving second chances. This New York-based nonprofit transforms the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking by offering culinary training, English-language instruction, and direct employment pathways into the restaurant industry.
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.
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.
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.
Enterprise Community Partners is one of the nation’s largest and most impactful nonprofit investors in affordable housing. Their 2023 Social Return on Investment (SROI) report illustrates a compelling truth: affordable housing isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s an economic one. With over $72 billion invested to date, Enterprise has created or preserved over 1 million homes nationwide, while delivering measurable economic, health, and social returns for families and communities.
Corporate art programs are evolving far beyond office aesthetics — they are emerging as powerful tools for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement. As highlighted in Buildings’ preview of the 2025 BOMA Conference, companies are increasingly using curated art partnerships, such as with organizations like ArtLifting, to deliver meaningful social value by empowering artists facing homelessness and disabilities.
A recent study by Fourth Economy and the Allegheny Conference reveals what many community advocates have long suspected: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is more than a charity—it’s a powerful economic engine. With an annual investment of $20 million, United Way drives an impressive $211 million in regional economic activity, translating to a 10.5:1 return …
Continue reading “United Way Delivers Powerful ROI and Social Impact in Southwestern PA”
Social impact housing isn’t just a solution to shelter insecurity—it’s a powerful economic engine. This article breaks down how strategic investments in affordable and supportive housing create cascading returns for local governments, investors, and communities alike. By addressing root causes like homelessness, housing instability, and workforce displacement, social impact housing delivers far more than shelter—it generates measurable ROI, reduces public spending, and boosts long-term economic stability.