Home
About Us
New Inclusive Creative Economy Strategy to Demonstrate That the U.S. Creative ...
Foundation: Marguerite Casey Foundation, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Skoll Foundation, Target Foundation, Ford Foundation, Philadelphia Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation
"The US creative economy was most recently valued at over $1 trillion by the National Endowment for the Arts," per a press release, "even before considering film, fashion, video games, beauty, food, and other key commercial creative industries."
Now, thanks to a $15 million investment from 14 funders, including the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the "first dedicated impact investment portfolio for the US creative economy" is coming to life.
Upstart Co-Lab, a sponsored project of nonprofit Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, says the Inclusive Creative Economy Strategy will focus on investing in the creative industriesincluding film, fashion, video games, beauty, food, and other key commercial creative industriesthrough funds and companies to "secure blended value."
"The creative economy values merit and originality, it can help to build a more inclusive economic future," says Michael Quattrone, co-founder of the Skoll Foundation and Upstart Co-Lab.
"By demonstrating that putting more money to work in the creative economy can generate both attractive financial returns and positive social impact, this initiative can help break new ground for impact investing and build a more equitable and vibrant creative landscape in the US," says Roy Swan, director of mission investments for the Ford Foundation, one of the 14 funders.
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
"I didn't want to acknowledge any life challenges I had along the waywhich left me feeling burnt out from not showing my whole self," says Trish Boes, founder and CEO of UnlimitMe. But now, she...more
Foundation: Gates Foundation
One of the world's richest men is pushing to make Hong Kong a "philanthropic hub" in the region. The city's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, says he wants to make it "a bridge between China and...more
"When I came to Harare from Zaka, I had nobody and knew nobody, but I had to define my career path and carve my own niche, hence the confidence that all these important people here now have in...more
Illinois American Waterthe largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the USis making a splash in its home state with a $200,000 donation to help clean up the Ohio River. The utility has...more
It's not every day that a small town gets to throw out the first pitch at a Minnesota minor league baseball game, but that's exactly what's happened in Winnebago. The Mankato MoonDogs are holding...more
Foundation: Whitefish Community Foundation
"But wait. We're not done yet." That was the message from Lois Davis, CEO of the Whitefish Community Foundation, as it handed out $520,300 in grants to 68 nonprofit organizations in the...more
If you've got a strong work ethic and the ability to work nights and weekends, a warehouse job might be just what you're looking for. The Children's Place, a children's clothing and gear company...more
There's a "revolutionary innovation" in education that could make it a lot easier for parents to track their kids' progress, according to a post at Education Week. Permanent Education Numbers, or...more
Want to invest in companies that are good for the planet but also good for the bottom line? Look no further than Nordis Capital, a Montreal-based investment firm that aims to invest in companies...more
Nigeria has become the 16th country to sign an agreement with the Fund for Export Development in Africa, a multilateral bank that aims to boost African exports. The bank's president, Benedict...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Influencing Social Good Through Retail
When Hannah Davis traveled to China to teach English, she noticed how Chinese workers and farmers were often sporting olive green army-style shoes. Those shoes served as her inspiration to create her own social enterprise, Bangs Shoes.
