The Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) announces the rating of the first philanthropic foundation to complete the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB) – earning the highest rating possible through the assessment and benchmarking framework.

The Intentional Endowments Network will honor Dr. Tony Cortese at its 10th-anniversary gala and introduce the Anthony Cortese Fellowship Fund.

In Atlanta, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) recently convened over 2,000 participants committed to the transformation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for electrifying conversations on partnership, innovation, and capacity-building. As the nation’s premier event focused on advancing HBCU institutions, UNITE 2024 brought together college administrators, faculty, staff, and other higher education stakeholders who found the conference invigorating, with ample networking opportunities that sparked meaningful conversations and actionable takeaways.

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Executive Director, Advancement, California State University, Office of the Chancellor

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Kelly Baldoni, Head of Global Women's Strategies, Impax Asset Management 

Kelly Baldoni, Head of Global Women's Strategies, Impax Asset Management 

We are excited to announce that Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability, North America at Schroders, is joining IEN’s Steering Committee.

Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability, North America at Schroders

“Capitalism produces harms, and humans who are racialized as black and brown bear the brunt of those harms. The only way to change this is to actually change the economic system.”     - Dr. Gillian Marcelle

As a follow-up to our thought-provoking Juneteenth webinar, we are pleased to share a curated collection of resources mentioned on the call that form a powerful toolkit for tackling racial economic inequality.  These four links below offer a comprehensive framework for driving change and promoting economic justice by addressing the interconnected aspects of achieving racial and economic equality.  

The Levers of Change project provides a historical exploration of the roots of inequality and provides a roadmap for understanding the complex issues and changing them.  

The Reparations Finance Lab provides the expertise and resources necessary for implementing effective solutions. 

The Endowment Impact Benchmark offers a standardized framework for measuring impact and tracking progress.

Finally, the Freedom Economy platform serves as a powerful advocacy and defense tool, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and their rights are protected.

            Download the Toolkit

Framework & Strategy

The Levers of Change framework, developed by Resilience Capital Ventures, provides a comprehensive strategy for tackling racial and economic inequality.  This resource outlines a series of interconnected levers that can be activated to address the systemic barriers preventing marginalized and economically excluded communities from thriving and improving their wellbeing.  By understanding the root causes and becoming familiar with the levers, individuals and organizations can develop targeted interventions that drive meaningful change.

Advisory & Implementation

The Reparations Finance Lab serves as a critical advisory and implementation partner, providing expertise in reparative finance and community-driven investing.  This resource offers a range of services, from financial modeling to community engagement, designed to support organizations and individuals seeking to address the legacy of racial wealth disparities.  By combining the Levers of Change framework with the Reparations Finance Lab's expertise, stakeholders can develop and implement effective strategies for achieving racial economic equity.

Impact Measurement

The Endowment Impact Benchmark is a critical tool for measuring the impact of investments on racial economic equity.  This benchmark provides a standardized framework for assessing the social and environmental impact of endowment and foundation investments, enabling institutions to track their progress toward achieving more equitable outcomes.  By integrating the Endowment Impact Benchmark into their strategies, organizations can ensure that their investments are aligned with their values and goals.

Advocacy & Defense

The Freedom Economy platform is a powerful advocacy and defense tool, dedicated to promoting economic justice and combating systemic racism.  This resource provides a wealth of information, resources, and advocacy opportunities, empowering individuals and organizations to challenge policies and practices that perpetuate inequality. 

By combining these efforts stakeholders can be part of a robust ecosystem for driving lasting change.

Watch the Recording

Speakers of the Webinar

Dorien Nunez, Co-Founder and Director of Research, The OMNIResearch Group, IEN Senior Fellow

Dr. Gillian Marcelle, CEO, Resilience Capital Ventures

Pedro Henriques da Silva, Director, Shifting Trillions, Sierra Club Foundation

Enith Williams, Managing Director, Reparations Finance Lab

Erika Seth Davies, CEO of Rhia Ventures

"Injustice has made the world less fair, less healthy, and less wealthy and that affects everybody …..A lot of traditional ideas were devalued and colonial ones ended up being elevated….And that reality became entrenched in the business as usual of much of the financial sector…… instead, we should all be galvanized because if the biases that allow for 98% of all the capital in the world to be concentrated along racial lines can exist without explicit policy, then so too can the movement to shift capital..”      - Pedro Henriques da Silva, Director of Shifting Trillions at the Sierra Club Foundation (SCF)

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2025 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit

The Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit is the premier annual gathering of higher education leaders committed to addressing inequity and the climate crisis.

Registration Now Open!

Join us for a three-day event to connect with peers, learn from inspiring speakers, and gain insights and resources on how endowments can advance sustainable, mission-aligned investment strategies. 

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