MANCHESTER, NH – A recent article on Forbes.com noted that investors’ questions about impact investing have undergone a significant shift, from “What is impact investing?” to “How do I do impact investing?”
Three New Hampshire institutions – Live Free & Start, the NH Charitable Foundation, and the NH Community Loan Fund − have teamed up to answer that question for Granite State investors and prospective investors. The third in their series of public forums, Investing in New Hampshire, will be held at Dyn in Manchester on April 19 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
“A successful startup ecosystem and strong business climate require, among other things, access to capital,” said Mark Kaplan, a Live Free & Start Advisory Council member and chair of its Capital Access committee.
“This focus by LFS comes as the state’s five incubators and other economic development groups are creating a vibrant startup ecosystem and angel groups have a desire to become more active. These seminars will educate people about opportunities to invest in New Hampshire, making capital more available to entrepreneurs.”
Each forum features representatives of the three presenting organizations describing what they offer to impact investors:
Mark Kaplan, CEO of Alpha Loft and Live Free & Start Advisory Council member
John Hamilton, VP of Economic Opportunity at the NH Community Loan Fund
Michael Wilson, Chief Financial Officer and VP of Finance at the NH Charitable Foundation
“Live Free & Start is not an investor or conduit for investment, but it can stimulate and catalyze activities leading to investment,” Kaplan said. “The first step in doing that was a very-well-attended angel conference that has led to new members in angel groups. The next step are these forums, which take a broader view of the opportunities to invest with impact in N.H. through other means as well.”
Hamilton said the Community Loan Fund has welcomed impact investments for more than three decades. “Our options range from Opportunity NH Investments, which pay fixed-rate returns and support job creation and retention, affordable housing, child care and other vital community services, to potentially higher-yield co-investments in growing businesses,” he said.
“We made our very first impact investment in 1971, by providing a loan to preserve historic buildings in Harrisville, NH,” said Wilson. “Working alongside our grant and scholarship dollars, impact investing creates an opportunity to make sizeable, long-term investments to strengthen New Hampshire communities.”
“Through our impact-investment program, we can invest philanthropic capital in innovative business ventures and solid nonprofit organizations aligned with our mission to improve community well-being.”
The forum’s presentations will finish at 6 p.m., followed by a networking reception at which attendees can ask questions. All are free and open to prospective and current investors and to philanthropists. This event is for educational purposes only; it’s not intended for individuals or businesses seeking investment or capital.
Dyn is located at 150 Dow Street, in the Manchester Millyard.
Registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot.
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About Live Free & Start
Live Free and Start is a joint initiative of the Governor’s Office, the NH Business Finance Authority and the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. The initiative is run by our State’s Director of Entrepreneurship, Liz Gray, and supported by the LFS Advisory Council, a group of 14 dedicated entrepreneurs and business leaders. Together they are working with ecosystem partners across the state to make New Hampshire an even better place for innovation-based businesses to start, connect, and succeed. www.livefreeandstart.com
About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation was created in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire, and is dedicated to strengthening communities across the Granite State. The Foundation manages a growing collection of 1,700 philanthropic funds created by generous families, individuals and businesses, and awards $32 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Foundation invests charitable assets for today and tomorrow; works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving; supports critical work happening in New Hampshire communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. www.nhcf.org
About the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund
The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund turns investments into loans and education to create opportunity and transform lives. We collaborate with a wide range of donors and investors, and with business, nonprofit and government partners, to provide the financing and support people need to have affordable homes, have quality jobs and child care, and become financially independent. Established in 1983, the Community Loan Fund was one of the first Community Development Financial Institutions in the nation, and has received industry awards and recognition for social impact, financial strength and performance. www.communityloanfund.org
