Impact Investing

Advancing Metcalf’s mission by aligning our endowment with our goals

Impact investing provides us with another way to make a difference with our money beyond our grantmaking. We believe we can accelerate our ability to achieve our mission by investing our financial assets directly in support of our goals.

Harnessing the power of our endowment to build affordable housing and community real estate, support microlending for job training and licensing, and develop clean energy and sustainable food companies, are examples of how we are putting capital to work for purpose beyond profits.

As of December 31, 2021, we have committed $9,300,000 in capital from our endowment towards impact investments.

Impact investments are investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate positive social or environmental impact alongside a financial return — it’s a way to do well by doing good.

Our Investments

Amplify Capital

Amplify Capital invests in technology companies that have the potential to scale to solve social and environmental challenges.

Investment: $750,000

ArcTern Ventures

ArcTern Ventures invests in technology companies that have a positive impact on climate change and sustainability.

Investment: $1,500,000

Centre for Social Innovation: CSI Spadina Community Bond

The CSI Spadina Community Bond enabled the Centre for Social Innovation to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of a brick and beam building at 192 Spadina Avenue to expand its coworking real estate.

Investment: $150,000

Community Forward Fund

The Community Forward Fund provides loans to Canadian nonprofit organizations, charities, and nonprofit social enterprises across a wide variety of sectors including housing, the arts, renewable energy, food, and community spaces.

Investment: $500,000

Deetken Impact: Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund

The Ilu Women’s Empowerment Fund invests in businesses that empower women and advance gender equality in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Investment: $250,000

InvestEco

InvestEco invests in expansion-stage companies in North America that promote health and sustainability in the food and agricultural sector.

Investment: $1,000,000

Mackenzie Investments: Mackenzie Greenchip Global Environmental All Cap Fund

The Mackenzie Greenchip Global Environmental All Cap Fund invests in companies in the following sectors: clean energy, energy efficiency, clean technology, water treatment and supply, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable transportation.

Investment: $450,000

New Commons Development

New Commons Development develops affordable housing and social purpose real estate to be stewarded by community-based organizations and maintained as affordable in perpetuity.

Investment: $750,000

New Market Funds: NMF Rental Housing Fund

The NMF Rental Housing Fund partners with nonprofit and co-operative operators to invest in new-build or substantially renovated multi-family affordable rental housing.

Investment: $1,250,000

The Neighbourhood Land Trust

The Neighbourhood Land Trust — the charitable arm of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust — owns and manages land in a community ownership model, collaborating with social housing partners to provide high quality affordable housing, supportive housing, and community economic development programs.

Investment: $500,000

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners invests in early and growth stage Indigenous companies that support the ongoing revitalization of the Indigenous economy in Canada and the United States.

Investment: $500,000

Renewal Funds

Renewal Funds invests in early growth stage companies focused on environmental innovation and sustainable consumer products.

Investment: $1,500,000

Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending offers microloans to help skilled immigrants and refugees continue their careers in Canada.

Investment: $200,000