For one week in April 2011, global participants of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Searchlight function were hosted by Beyond Profit publisher Intellecap and convened in Mumbai to discuss the future of the urban poor in different geographies. Participants attended workshops on various forecasting models, as well as field visits to Dharavi and various social enterprises. Throughout this week, Beyond Profit will be featuring reflections by participants about their experiences during the Mumbai convening.

By Claudia Juech and Evan Michelson, The Rockefeller Foundation

The effects of events such as the protests and demonstrations that have combined to create the promise of the Arab Spring, the American subprime mortgage crisis leading to a widespread and deep economic recession, or the Japanese tsunami disrupting global supply chains, tell us that it is becoming more and more difficult to forecast what the future may look like in 10 or 15 years. In our increasingly complex and interdependent world, the high pace of change, trends and discontinuities in demography, lifestyles, technology and economy can rapidly create new opportunities as well as threats. » Continue reading “The Future of the Urban Poor”

This story originally appeared in our May 19th, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe

Futures tools are gaining importance in planning for the urban poor. Claudia Juech and Evan Michelson from the Rockefeller Foundation write about the importance of pro-poor foresight.

The effects of events such as the American subprime mortgage crisis leading to a widespread and deep economic recession or the Japanese tsunami disrupting global supply chains tell us that it is becoming more and more difficult to forecast what the future may look like in 10 or 15 years. In our increasingly complex and interdependent world, the high pace of change, trends and discontinuities in demography, lifestyles, technology and economy can rapidly create new opportunities as well as threats.

Corporations and governments have been using forward-looking approaches for decades to inform their strategic decision-making. Given the high stakes and importance of considering the future of issues related to poverty and development, it is necessary to adopt those approaches – that illuminate alternative futures, identify potential solutions and take advantage of new opportunities – for improving people’s lives. Developing such a long-term perspective requires the utilization of a wide range of future-oriented tools, techniques and methodologies – such as scenario planning exercises, simulations and roadmaps – that can expand the mindset of key stakeholders, examine different strategies in a “safe space,” and discover unexpected pathways upfront. » Continue reading “Why Foresight?”

By Stefan Pellech, Intellecap

Intellecap, publisher of Beyond Profit, partnered with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) to explore opportunities for the private sector in building resilience of the urban poor against the impacts of climate change. Our work focused on understanding the specific vulnerabilities of the poor in four cities – Surat and Gorakhpur in India, Semarang in Indonesia and Chiang Rai in Thailand – and identifying potential business responses to these. » Continue reading “Climate Change and Building Resilience”

This story originally appeared in our March 24, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

By the Numbers

In a new report by Harvard University and supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, a strong case is made for government support of impact investing.

US$24 billion

(US) The value of debt and equity investment in low-income communities supported by the U.S. CDFI Fund and other related policies. » Continue reading “Data: The GIIRS Potential”

This story originally appeared in our December 3, 2010 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

In the first issue of Beyond Profit, published in April 2009, we wrote about the emergence of the impact investing industry, which facilitates investments that create a positive social impact beyond financial return. Earlier this week, a report by J.P. Morgan and the Rockefeller Foundation declared impact investment a new asset class—a remarkable development in the lifecycle of this industry. What does it mean for social enterprise? Lindsay Clinton analyzes the current landscape.

On November 29, J.P. Morgan and the Rockefeller Foundation released a report that will likely serve as a turning point in the development of impact investing. The report, which assesses expected and realized returns of more than 1,000 impact investments, estimates that the industry presents an investment opportunity between US$400bn and US$1 trillion with profit potential between US$183bn and US$667bn. Importantly, the report declares impact investment an asset class which provides a strong indicator to investors who may have shied away from social investing in the past to reconsider this emerging investment category. » Continue reading “Impact Investing: Challenges and Opportunities”