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Social impact bonds are helping solve South Africa's toughest challenges

Susan de Witt

November 30, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

Social impact bonds are providing a relatively new way of improving health and education outcomes in developing countries. While these have been used successfully in the developing world, South Africa is relatively new its use of social impact bonds, which use a “pay for success” model to spur investment in experimental programs. Though still in the early stages, the use of this creative financing looks like it will be a huge asset in the development world.

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What Burkina Faso can teach us about scaling up early childhood programs

Fergus Peace

November 30, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Burkina Faso

A pilot of a cash transfer program in rural Burkina Faso not only produced valuable research but, by involving government officials from the get-go, developed local expertise that was invaluable for the later launch of a national program. "The major challenge for scaling in early childhood is implementing a scheme nationally with the same attention to detail it enjoyed as a small, closely supervised pilot," a member of the World Bank team noted. This experiment offers a possible solution.

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Foundations Have a Not-So-Charitable Secret

Chris Winters

November 27, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Traditionally, private foundations have been required to give away only 5% of their wealth each year. Beyond that, the majority of funds have typically been invested in Wall Street funds, sometimes funds that fundamentally contradict their mission. This is changing. The F.B. Heron Foundation has shifted to a more socially conscious investing strategy, as have parts of the Gates and Ford foundations. Impact investing is relatively new, but it is growing in a field where the potential for impact is huge.

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Program matching low-income "leaders" with higher-income "allies" graduates second cohort

Sarah Rigg

November 14, 2018 |

Concentrate |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Circles Washtenaw County is a “financial stability program” that is part of a national network. The local version in Ypsilanti involves matching leaders, who participate in 12 weeks of training, with allies, who support the leaders upon completion of the program. Beyond promoting financial stability among local residents, the program also promotes accountability and helps foster relationships among people who might not otherwise work together. The program has had two successful cohorts so far, with plans to grow in the future.

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California Wildfires Destroy Homes and Lives. Why Do Regulators Encourage Building in Fire Zones?

Christian Britschgi

November 14, 2018 |

Reason |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, Proposition 103 – a decades-old ballot initiative – disincentivizes homeowners affected by wildfires to rebuild in less fire-prone zones. The proposition – which can only be reversed through another ballot initiative – bars insurers from raising their rates based on future risks, meaning people who live in fire zones are not paying a higher rate. Furthermore, because of these regulations and the lack of response to the problem, insurance agencies often err on the side of caution and won’t sell policies at all, leaving some people uninsured entirely.

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After grassroots victories, Vancouver, B.C. Chinatown turns toward revitalization

Amy Zimmer Chetanya Robinson

November 11, 2018 |

International Examiner |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Grassroots organizations, like the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, seek to preserve Chinatown’s heritage and fight the displacement of old-time residents by gentrification. The organizations bought an historic hotel to prevent displacement of 100 low-income residents, revitalized commercial spaces such as restaurants to preserve the neighborhood’s heritage and history, and funded programs to support social connections with events such as Majhong socials that bring together over 100 people. While the organizations agree on the goal to preserve Vancouver’s Chinatown, they sometimes disagree on how to get there

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Match Trading spreads – and could significantly boost earned income

Anna Patton

October 30, 2018 |

Pioneers Post |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Lancashire

A program in the UK rewards select social enterprises by matching year-over-year sales growth. These incentives boost income from trading, as shown in a pilot program that matched up to £10,000.

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Trailer parks face rising rents. This one's residents found a way out.

Simon Montlake

October 26, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hudson, Massachusetts

ROC USA, a New Hampshire nonprofit, has helped almost 15,000 mobile homes become part of cooperative ownership setups across the country. The need for this is clear. Many mobile home residents do not own the land on which their homes reside, meaning they are at the whim of owners or outside investors. By coming together as a neighborhood and pitching in for collective ownership of a mobile home park, residents take control of their fate and their finances.

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The Informal Bank That Empowers Kenya's Poorest Women

Dominic Kirui

October 19, 2018 |

News Deeply |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Bubisa

In villages in Bubisa, Kenya, women have come together to form informal community banks so that they may have greater financial access and power. These groups of women together save money, and then lend and borrow money with one another, giving themselves the chance to own property and send their kids to school – without having to rely on their husbands.

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Houses intact after Hurricane Michael were often saved by low-cost reinforcements

Patricia Sullivan

October 17, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Blountstown, Florida

Small, cost-effective improvements to home construction were often the difference between houses that suffered small amounts of damage from Florida hurricanes and those that were destroyed. Knowing to ask for extra nails, strong windows, and hurricane clips for their roof, home owners can not only save their homes but save money from decreased insurance and energy costs.

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