Reducing poverty through improved efficiency and distributive justice

working together to maximize the net social benefits of community development programs

We want to work with partners that are committed to achieving the best development results

As a not-for-profit, IBG builds bridges with leading actors in innovative financing, management consulting, and others to improve the benefits of Canadian and international development programs for the poor and marginalized. We also build bridges with implementing organizations that prioritize program efficiency, thereby maximizing the impact of existing and future programs.

IBG's core work includes appraising social development programs and social enterprises. This appraisal work is a critical component in the process of developing the business case and term sheet that are used to secure investment capital. IBG is known for having one of the most rigorous and thorough approaches to appraising potential investments. IBG uses an integrated analysis that measures benefits and costs for both the financial and economic appraisal. The risk analysis and risk management planning begins by identifying the key risk variables using sensitivity and scenario analysis. In some cases, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to generate a probability distribution of development outcomes. The IBG analytics team is able to provide an assessment of the expected variability of the project/business net return, the probability of getting a negative net-present value (NPV), and how uncertainty will affect the net benefit flows to the key stakeholders.

We also work with those who are not yet positioned to use investment capital for their social enterprise or project. In many cases, this requires working with partners to collect data that can drive the organization's understanding of whether and how it is achieving critical results. We have experts with many years of experience to help build the required institutional capacity in order to become investment-ready.

Services

Impact Bridges Group provides various services designed to maximize net benefits of community development programs.

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Information

Learn more about IBG values, services and the key aspects of our approach.

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Latest Updates from the IBG Blog

Blog

Essential Networking Tips for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs

As a social entrepreneur, an important part of your job is connected with like-minded individuals who can help your business reach its full potential. Networking will enable you to build relationships that are mutually beneficial. Through networking, you’ll discover new business opportunities, land high-quality leads, make reliable connections, and increase the visibility of your business in your industry. Here are some simple tips from Impact Bridges Group to help you get the most out of your networking efforts!

The Dilemma of Social Impact Investment Strategy

The strategy question

How do we, and how should we, select social impact projects for investment?

This depends, of course, on what we think of social impact. We agree it is framed by the Sustainable Development Goals, but beyond that investors have trouble telling the difference between creating social value and producing social impact. (Attridge and Engen, Blended finance in the poorest countries, 2019:17ff; Daggers, What do you mean?, 2019; Financial Times, Impact investing must resolve its identity crisis, 1 May 2018; Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, Impact Summit 2018 - The power of impact, 2018:2)

WE’s International Development Identity Problem

The WE scandal has raised serious concerns about the WE organization’s links to the Trudeau government and questionable decision-making processes that led to it being designated the only organization able to carry out an ambitious volunteer program for Canadian students. In the midst of the evolving WE scandal, the group’s co-founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, announced the organization would put WE Days on hold and return to its international development “roots”.

How to Ask for Money for Your Small Business

Many people feel uncomfortable asking for money – whether it’s to fund a new business idea, a
loan to cover some short-term debt, or investment funds to keep your business solvent. Some
small business owners perceive a negative stigma around asking for help, especially when it
comes to asking friends and family to help.
There are plenty of strategies and platforms that can make asking for public assistance a little
easier. Read on for advice on how to ask for money and some tips that can make fundraising
less stressful.

IMPACT BRIDGES GROUP CALLS FOR FEDERAL ACTION TO ACHIEVE AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY:

Leading organizations call for federal government to invest in capital and capacity solutions

On June 29, 2020 Canadian community capital and capacity organizations across the country including Impact Bridges Group, with Canadian offices in Ottawa, Toronto and Puslinch, are issuing a public call to action for the federal government to invest in capacity and capital solutions that lead Canada to a path of economic recovery that is inclusive, regenerative, and prosperous for all.

TIMES ARE CHANGING: CHARITIES MUST CHANGE AS WELL AS SOCIETY’S VIEW OF CHARITIES

Until recently the only option for financing a charitable program was through the use of philanthropy. Donations and perhaps a bake sale would be held to raise funding for a charitable cause. Although philanthropy has and will continue to have an important role in society, there are other social options being explored to finance social programs. For these innovative approaches to get traction and to become successful requires changes within society on how we view the role of charity. One of these financing innovations has been impact investing and although it is beginning to gain interest it has had a decade struggle in convincing everyday people that a charity could take on a significant charitable cause, and to do so with the use of capital markets. Too often the response has been that this is not the role of a charity. I think this response precisely identifies the problem we have in successfully tackling major social problems. We have preconceived notions of what charities should do and don’t realize that we’re undermining any possibility of them being successful.

3 Great Tips on Starting a Business for Individuals with a Disability

Starting a business comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot to think about, but it can be the perfect solution for a person who isn’t satisfied with their career in its current state. For an individual with a disability, it can be a life-changer, because it can allow you to set your own hours, work from home, and/or create a business model that focuses on your strengths and abilities.

Measuring IMPACT; Are We?

It seems we have been fixated on Impact for a couple of decades now. There is very rich and high quality literature available for one to read and learn from. Many research institutions are leading the way to clear the ambiguities about impact and its measurement. I am attempting to write a few observations from my experiences.

My thoughts are based on the premise of these two Definitions
Impact: A marked effect or influence; Oxford Dictionary
Impact: The force of impression of one thing on another; Miriam Webster

The Need for Social Balance

The central objective of economic development policy is to lead a process of structural transformation of countries toward diversified production and exports. This is key to any developing country strategy for sustained economic growth. To this end, the private sector plays an incredibly important role in investing in countries, while NGOs and others have been instrumental in stimulating economic development at the bottom-of-the pyramid and in addressing issues faced by the missing-middle.