Impact Funders Directory (Page 6)

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots that has been fostering informed and engaged communities for 75 years. The foundation invests in journalism, arts, and economic opportunity to support a more effective democracy and vibrant communities, focusing specifically on the 26 cities and towns where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once owned and operated newspapers. Guided by the Knight brothers' belief that well-informed communities can best determine their own true interests and are essential to a thriving democracy, the foundation supports people, organizations, and insights that lead to healthier communities. Knight Foundation operates as a nonpartisan and community-centered organization, promoting access to information, free and creative expression, and inclusive economic growth across their target communities.

The Kresge Foundation is a strategic philanthropy located in metro Detroit that has been promoting human progress since 1924. The foundation works to expand opportunity in America's cities through grantmaking and social investing, with a central focus on advancing equity and dismantling barriers while building pathways to justice. Operating with six core values, Kresge centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of their work and funding approach. The foundation deploys over $160 million annually through grants, loans, and innovative financial tools to strengthen communities across the United States, with particular attention to effective and inclusive community development in urban areas.

Since 2010, Kuramo Capital Management has been a leading force in connecting global investors with Africa's dynamic markets. With strategic presence in Nairobi, Lagos, and New York, they deliver deep local insights and drive significant returns. The firm manages nearly $500 million under management and has catalyzed over $3 billion into high-growth businesses across sub-Saharan Africa, impacting over 3.5 million lives across 200+ companies in 30+ countries. Kuramo employs a results-oriented and data-centric ESG strategy that incorporates and oversees ESG factors throughout the investment life cycle. They focus on key sectors including Financial Services, Agriculture, Technology, and Power, using primary fund investments, direct and co-investments, and separately managed accounts to build sustainable prosperity across Africa.

LeapFrog Investments is a private equity firm that focuses on scaling purpose-driven businesses across Asia and Africa to achieve sustainable growth, profitability, and measurable social impact. The firm invests in companies operating primarily in three key sectors: financial services, healthcare, and climate solutions, targeting businesses that serve emerging consumers and low-income populations. LeapFrog operates on a "profit with purpose" model, partnering with business leaders to drive integrated returns that combine financial performance with social impact. Their approach is grounded in a clear theory of change aimed at empowering low-income consumers to become agents of their own transformation, providing them with tools and services to make entrepreneurial leaps out of poverty. The firm provides not just capital but also resources and expertise to help portfolio companies reach emerging consumers at scale with relevant, affordable, and essential services. LeapFrog has established itself as a significant player in the impact investing ecosystem, demonstrating that commercial returns and social impact can be successfully integrated. Their rigorous approach to impact measurement, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, sets industry standards for transparency and accountability in impact investing. The firm's scale of operation, reaching 559 million people through their portfolio companies and supporting 33 million jobs, positions them as a major force in driving inclusive economic growth in emerging markets.

LEGO Foundation is an independent Danish corporate foundation dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Established in 1986, the foundation supports initiatives that strengthen childhood through education, play, creativity, wellbeing, and child development. The LEGO Foundation works globally with educators, researchers, nonprofits, governments, and communities to improve learning opportunities for children, particularly those facing barriers related to poverty, disability, conflict, displacement, or unequal access to education. In addition to grantmaking, the foundation deploys impact investments that help scale innovative solutions supporting children and families.

LiftFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to expanding economic opportunity through affordable small business financing, technical assistance, and entrepreneurial support. Since 1994, LiftFund has helped underserved entrepreneurs access capital and business resources that traditional financial institutions often overlook. The organization provides loans, grants, business coaching, capital readiness programs, and community partnerships that help entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow businesses while creating jobs and strengthening local economies.

Longview Philanthropy is a philanthropic advisory and grantmaking organization that helps major donors maximize the long-term impact of their giving. Through research, donor education, grant recommendations, and specialized funding vehicles, Longview supports philanthropy focused on addressing global catastrophic risks and safeguarding humanity’s future. The organization works with philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and institutions to identify high-impact funding opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence governance, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, nuclear risk reduction, and other challenges with significant long-term consequences for society.

LowCarbon.Earth is a climate-tech accelerator that supports early-stage startups developing innovative solutions to tackle climate change and environmental challenges across the Asia-Pacific region. The program focuses on sustainable goods and services addressing climate change, nature loss, and pollution across core sectors including renewable energy, mobility, air quality, and sustainable agriculture. Launched in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by Massive Earth Foundation, the accelerator operates through intensive bootcamps, workshops, mentorship programs, networking sessions, and investor pitch opportunities. Their mission centers on catalyzing climate action by empowering passionate founders and creating scalable, impactful solutions for a sustainable future. Since inception, LowCarbon.Earth has established itself as a significant force in the Asia-Pacific climate innovation landscape, having evaluated over 3,000 startups and supported more than 180 through their programs. The accelerator has gained recognition through national media coverage including CNBC Awaaz and has built a vibrant community of founders, industry leaders, investors, and VCs who collectively shape climate-tech innovation across the region.

Lowe’s Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Lowe's Companies, Inc. focused on strengthening America’s skilled trades workforce. Founded in 1957, the foundation supports workforce development, career training, technical education, and community-based programs that prepare individuals for high-demand careers in construction, electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, appliance repair, and related trades. Through its flagship Gable Grants Program, the foundation is investing $250 million to help train 250,000 skilled trades professionals by 2035, addressing one of the largest workforce shortages facing the U.S. economy.

Lowercarbon Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in companies developing technologies to combat climate change through three primary approaches: slashing CO2 emissions, removing carbon from the atmosphere, and buying time to address planetary climate issues. They focus on backing what they call "kickass companies" that can make real money while addressing environmental challenges across sectors including energy, transportation, industrial materials, and agriculture. The firm operates on the philosophy that fixing the planet is good business and that market forces, rather than shame and guilt, will drive the necessary climate solutions. They combine hard science with ambitious goals, seeking companies that can deliver better, faster, and cheaper alternatives to fossil fuel-based technologies. Lowercarbon Capital plays a significant role in the climate tech ecosystem by funding innovative companies across diverse sectors from solar and wind energy storage to fusion technology, electric aviation, and carbon-free chemical production. Their portfolio includes companies like Antora, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Heart Aerospace, and Solugen, positioning them as a key player in scaling climate solutions that can achieve commercial viability while delivering environmental impact.

Lumina Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation focused on expanding access to education and workforce training beyond high school. The foundation works to increase attainment of college degrees, industry certifications, and workforce credentials that create pathways to economic mobility, informed citizenship, and long-term prosperity. Lumina partners with education leaders, employers, policymakers, nonprofits, and community organizations to redesign learning systems, reduce barriers to postsecondary education, and improve equitable outcomes for students across the United States.

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation focused on advancing a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world through grantmaking, impact investments, fellowships, and institutional support. The foundation funds creative individuals, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and mission-driven initiatives working across climate solutions, democracy, journalism, criminal justice reform, technology and society, global security, and community development. Known globally for the MacArthur Fellows Program, often referred to as the “Genius Grants,” the foundation combines long-term systems thinking with bold investments designed to address complex social and environmental challenges.

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) is among the top ten foundations in the United States, supporting efforts to enhance quality of life and prevent suffering of children, families, and older adults. Founded by the late Margaret A. Cargill, the organization preserves and promotes the environment and arts while encouraging humane treatment of animals. MACP operates through seven programmatic domains: Arts & Cultures, Disaster Relief & Recovery, Environment, Animal Welfare, Quality of Life, Teachers & Students, and Legacy & Opportunity. The foundation follows an invitation-based grantmaking process, partnering with capable organizations to make lasting differences for individuals and communities with particular attention to overlooked causes.

Masawa Fund is a European venture capital fund that invests in seed-stage startups focused on mental health and wellness solutions. They target companies working on mental illness cures, mental wellness improvement, and addressing social determinants of mental health including sleep, nutrition, and loneliness. The fund operates in a $400 billion market, recognizing that 1 in 5 people will develop a mental health condition and that mental ill-health costs the EU €630 billion annually. Masawa operates through their "Nurture Capital" approach, which puts humans at the center of their investment strategy and focuses on organizational health and founder wellbeing to minimize risk. Their mission is to advance human flourishing by weaving people, purpose, and prosperity together, creating a compassionate world where people can thrive and reach their potential. The fund was sparked by their founder's personal experience with mental illness and their vision of making wellness accessible to all. Masawa matters in the ecosystem because they are addressing a critical gap where 65% of startups fail from people problems, and founders face 2-3 times higher rates of depression and substance abuse than the general population. They are working to humanize finance and evolve venture capital by supporting purpose-driven founders who are solving real human needs. Their approach recognizes that inner transformation enables outer change, positioning mental health as a catalyst for broader social and environmental solutions.

Maycomb Capital is a pioneering impact investing platform that provides financing across asset classes to fund strategies and enterprises that transform underserved communities. The firm harnesses the scale, expertise, and risk tolerance of the private sector in service of the public good, demonstrating what's possible with mission-focused, tailored capital. Their approach is informed by deep expertise in impact investing, economic development, and public policy, with one clear goal: driving long-term change in underserved communities. Maycomb focuses on key areas including workforce development, early childhood, stable and affordable housing, healthcare access and affordability, and social services.

Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) is a human rights organization and non-profit investment fund that provides debt and equity financing to independent media companies worldwide. They support media ventures ranging from digital news portals and TV stations to journalism data tools and AI-powered explainer bots, focusing on organizations that provide diverse news and facilitate information exchange. MDIF operates as a New York-registered not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) public charity status, combining affordable financing with strategic business advice to help independent media grow, adapt and innovate. They work specifically in countries where access to reliable news and information is under threat, mobilizing capital through various private equity, debt, hybrid and venture funds. With 30 years of experience investing for impact, MDIF has become a critical player in the media development ecosystem by enabling independent media to inform millions, hold power accountable, and support democratic participation in their communities. Their work matters because timely, accurate, and relevant information is fundamental to building free, thriving societies, and they provide essential infrastructure for media plurality in challenging environments.

Mekong Capital is Vietnam's pre-eminent Private Equity firm, founded in 2001 with extensive investment track record in the country. The firm specializes in consumer-driven businesses and focuses exclusively on the Vietnamese market, making it the most experienced private equity firm in Vietnam. Mekong Capital's investee companies are typically among the fastest growing and market leading companies in Vietnam's consumer-driven sectors. The firm employs a Vision Driven Investing approach, emphasizing vision as paramount in their investment strategy and focusing on growth capital opportunities in Vietnam's expanding economy.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the largest philanthropic organization in the United States dedicated to supporting the arts, humanities, and higher education. Founded in 1969, the foundation funds institutions, artists, scholars, cultural organizations, and public initiatives that strengthen civic life, preserve cultural memory, and expand access to humanistic knowledge and creative expression. The foundation supports projects that advance social justice, public storytelling, historical understanding, cultural preservation, higher education innovation, and community-centered arts and humanities initiatives.

Mercy Corps Ventures is the impact investing arm of Mercy Corps that invests in and accelerates high-impact enterprises operating in frontier markets. They focus on backing visionary early-stage founders who are building catalytic solutions across adaptive agriculture & food systems, inclusive climate fintech, and other climate resilience technologies in emerging markets. Their mission centers on increasing the resilience of people and communities in frontier markets by identifying, investing in, and accelerating the growth of innovative solutions. They operate as a family of funds that provide founders with the capital, support, and pathways needed to scale their impact-driven ventures from seed to scale. Mercy Corps Ventures plays a crucial role in the impact investing ecosystem by addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate volatility, financial exclusion, and fragility of food systems. Their work matters because they bridge the gap between traditional development aid and market-based solutions, creating sustainable pathways for communities to build resilience against global challenges while supporting entrepreneurial innovation in underserved markets.

Miller Center for Global Impact is a social entrepreneurship accelerator and capacity-building organization that supports social entrepreneurs working to address poverty and tackle pressing social problems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They operate from Silicon Valley and run programs including an annual In-Residence cohort program that brings select social entrepreneurs to California for intensive support. Their mission centers on advancing "business for good" by supporting scalable and replicable social enterprises led by local leaders who are best positioned to provide lasting solutions to social challenges. They operate through a proven model that combines executive mentors, world-class programs, Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial expertise, and Santa Clara University's social justice heritage to build capacity for social entrepreneurs globally. Miller Center has been a leader in the global social entrepreneurship movement for over 25 years, establishing significant influence in transforming markets for good and working toward ending poverty. Their impact spans globally from Silicon Valley to regions like the Himalayas, and they form strategic partnerships with organizations like impact fund manager Investisseurs & Partenaires to strengthen entrepreneur capacity-building across African countries.

Minderoo Foundation is a proudly Australian philanthropy dedicated to forging a fair future by courageously challenging inequalities and campaigning for meaningful change. The foundation focuses on four key areas: uplifting communities to help all children in Australia reach their full potential, advancing gender equality so all people realize their inherent freedom and equality, protecting natural ecosystems for future generations, and responding agilely to existential threats and urgent challenges. Minderoo maximizes impact by backing those closest to the problems they seek to solve, using a comprehensive approach that includes partnering with organizations through grants and impact investing, advocating for system change and policy reform, developing and testing solutions collaboratively, and generating evidence to drive meaningful change across their focus areas.

Mission Driven Finance is an impact investing and lending platform that provides capital to small businesses and nonprofits without requiring personal guarantees. They focus on filling the financing gap between philanthropy and conventional investments, targeting businesses that lack sufficient access to affordable capital from traditional sources. The organization operates with the mission of making impact investing accessible and easy for everyone, envisioning a future where all investments are optimized for impact. They work with local and national investors to help them create the social impact they desire while providing structured financial products designed to close financial gaps and opportunity gaps. Since launching in 2016, Mission Driven Finance has become a significant force in accelerating positive social change through innovative financing mechanisms. They have successfully mobilized over $50 million in assets into communities, demonstrating their ability to bridge the gap between capital and worthy enterprises that struggle to achieve scale through conventional funding sources.

MIT Solve is an initiative of MIT that provides social impact and entrepreneurship services, connecting startups with funding and resources to address global challenges. The organization launches open calls for exceptional and diverse solutions to pressing global problems from innovators anywhere in the world, focusing on areas including climate, economic prosperity, health, learning, indigenous communities, youth innovation, and innovative financing. MIT Solve operates on the belief that building a better future requires new voices and ideas from diverse sources. They run challenges to identify groundbreaking solutions, then provide selected innovators with the backing of MIT and their community of supporters to scale their impact and drive lasting change. The organization has established itself as a platform that bridges the gap between innovative solutions and the resources needed to implement them at scale. Over its ten-year history, MIT Solve has become a significant force in the global innovation ecosystem, having run over 100 challenges and received more than 26,800 applications from 185 countries. Their community of innovators and solutions have reached over 370 million lives worldwide, demonstrating tangible impact from refugee education in Lebanon to agricultural improvements in Ethiopia. The organization has mobilized over $80 million and forged over 1,000 partnerships, establishing itself as a crucial connector between social entrepreneurs and the resources they need to create meaningful change.