Can men support WIN-WIN?

Yes! In fact, we have been encouraged by the interest and support that men have shown for WIN-WIN and impact investing.

Can I give and invest?

Yes, you can both give and invest online or through the mail, though the transactions need to be separate. If you invest, you will be providing capital to allow organizations to support small businesses, community health clinics, senior centers, schools, water systems in the developing world, and more. Our goal is to raise $20 million, all of which will be invested to help empower women. On the other hand, philanthropy is essential to providing funding for making this investment program possible – for allowing us to vet and manage investments to these organizations, and to

In many situations, these needs and the programs that support them aren’t exclusively served by only investment or philanthropy. In fact, in many cases, we see the clear benefit in having both, working in partnership.

How do you determine which projects/organizations will be part of the WIN-WIN portfolio?

WIN-WIN will evaluate prospective borrowers for their suitability for an investment based on a number of criteria, including their financial performance and operating history. Calvert Foundation has developed flexible criteria targeting prospective borrowers that engage in women’s economic development. WIN-WIN portfolio organizations and projects will offer products and services that primarily serve and/or empower women; will invest in women-owned or women-led businesses; and will support women entrepreneurs and female-headed households.

Examples include organizations that provide health care and child care to low-income women; women-run non-profit businesses that have a mission to serve other women; loan funds that invest in women’s entrepreneurship and small businesses; and women-oriented cooperatives.

Calvert Foundation will monitor the evolution of the WIN-WIN portfolio over time to track the impact and footprint of portfolio organizations upon women’s economic opportunity & development. For example, this would include capturing the percentage change to number of women served or employed over time.

WIN-WIN criteria are subject to change at Calvert Foundation’s discretion. All borrowers must also meet basic thresholds of financial and operating performance to qualify for a loan through WIN-WIN. To inquire about applying for a loan from WIN-WIN, please contact us at winwin@calvertfoundation.org.

Sources

Goldman Sachs: Global Economics Paper No: 154 Gender Inequality, Growth and Global Ageing

The World Bank: Gender and Development in the Middle East and North Africa: Women in the Public Sphere