Today we are releasing our first impact financing report. Covering the first year of our impact lending envelope, this report sheds light on the beneficial effects created by supporting businesses committed to making a positive impact on society.
First, let’s remember that in 2021, we launched our impact financing envelope. Now totaling $60 million, this envelope allows us to provide loans of $50,000 to $450,000 to diversely owned and inclusive businesses committed to generating positive impacts.
Moreover, by aligning this approach with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we were able to conduct a frank and honest analysis of our own impact.
Here are some of the findings from the report:
– 7.14 million in loans granted in the first 12 months of operations
– 86% of the entrepreneurs financed identify as women
– 29% of the entrepreneurs financed identify with at least one of the other groups under-represented in entrepreneurship
– SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) is the most targeted (22%) by our companies, and
– more than half of the companies (57%) have even included a clear social and environmental commitment in their mission statement.
Whether it’s circular economy companies like Timininous or companies that serve people and their communities like Douceurs et Petits Poids, the report highlights some of our clients to exemplify our impact.
It is also important to note that, from now on, we will publish an impact financing report every year. We consider this exercise to be essential to our mission of making the economy more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous.
To view the report: 2022 Impact Financing Report