Impact Funders Directory (Page 7)

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.

Momentus Capital is working to reinvent traditional financial systems by offering a continuum of financial, knowledge, and social capital to help entrepreneurs, community-based organizations, and local leaders at every growth stage. They provide flexible financing options including a range of debt and equity products, business advising and training, and connections to networks that support small business owners, social enterprise leaders, community-minded developers, and creators of community facilities. Their mission is to help build communities and small businesses by providing access to the capital and opportunities they deserve, with a vision of creating an economic system that respects and uplifts all peoples' right to achieve their dreams for themselves, their communities, and generations to come. As a non-profit organization, they operate through a family of branded organizations including Capital Impact Partners, CDC Small Business Finance, and Momentus Securities. Momentus Capital addresses a critical gap in the current financial system that denies local leaders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute fully to their communities and shared economy. By focusing on expanding capital and opportunities for communities that have been underserved by traditional financial institutions, they serve as engines of job creation and economic activity that help build healthy communities from within.

Moonshot Platform is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership accelerator and global community supporting young changemakers closest to the world’s most urgent challenges. Through its two-year Moonshot Journey, the organization provides grants, mentorship, scholarships, capacity building, peer community, and access to global networks that help emerging leaders scale social and environmental impact. Founded by Yemi A.D., Moonshot Platform supports young innovators building projects, nonprofits, startups, and community initiatives across climate, education, health, economic opportunity, technology, and social justice. Its programs include the Moonshot Awards, Moonshot Camp, Moonshot Summit, Impact Labs, and mentor pathways.

The Mott Foundation is a century-old philanthropic organization that promotes a just, equitable and sustainable society through strategic grantmaking worldwide. Founded by automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott, the foundation operates from four offices across the U.S., England and South Africa to support nonprofits on a global scale. The foundation focuses on empowering communities through four core program areas: Civil Society, Youth Engagement, Environment, and Flint Area initiatives. Their approach emphasizes strengthening what founder Charles Stewart Mott called 'the capacity for accomplishment' by supporting individuals and institutions working together to create positive change in their communities.

Mozilla Foundation is a global nonprofit organization working to build a healthier internet and more trustworthy technology ecosystem. As the parent organization of Mozilla Corporation, the foundation supports open-source innovation, ethical AI, digital rights, internet health, and community-driven technology initiatives. Mozilla Foundation funds and supports technologists, artists, researchers, educators, and activists building alternatives to harmful digital systems and advancing technology that prioritizes people, transparency, equity, and public interest.

NESsT is a global impact investor that focuses on social enterprises creating dignified employment opportunities for underserved communities while promoting environmental sustainability. The organization invests in high-performing enterprises that operate at the intersection of people, profit, and the planet, targeting job creation that benefits both communities and environmental resilience. Since 1997, NESsT has operated with a mission to support front-line entrepreneurs building sustainable and equitable futures in emerging markets. They work specifically in regions where traditional businesses fail to provide adequate employment, with 25% of workers living in extreme or moderate poverty and 46.8% facing low incomes and difficult working conditions. NESsT has established itself as a significant force in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, having positively impacted over 3.4 million lives across communities worldwide. Their comprehensive approach includes multiple specialized programs such as the Lirio Fund, Violet Fund, Amazonia Initiative, and Racial Equity Initiative, positioning them as a leader in creating systemic change through social enterprise investment.

New Age Capital is a thesis-driven seed stage venture capital firm that invests in tech and tech-enabled startups founded and led by Black and Latino entrepreneurs. They focus on companies at the seed stage with products in market, early customer traction, and some revenue, leading seed rounds up to $3M with an emphasis on capital efficiency. The firm operates with a mission to address the historical underrepresentation in venture capital funding by supporting underinvested, bootstrapped founders from their communities. They are industry agnostic and seek the best software or technology-enabled solutions across various markets, though they exclude fashion/fashion tech, media, crypto/web3, and medical device companies from their investment scope. New Age Capital plays a crucial role in the venture ecosystem by filling gaps in funding for Black and Latino entrepreneurs who have historically struggled to access capital. Founded by Ivan Alo and LaDante McMillon after their own experiences building a fintech company and witnessing peers struggle to raise money, they represent a response to the lack of diversity in traditional VC firms and work to ensure that entire demographics of innovators are no longer ignored in the startup funding landscape.

New Climate Ventures (NCV) is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in innovative startups building the future of how we produce, power and consume. They focus on companies developing technologies for carbon reduction or avoidance, taking an active and diversified investment approach that leverages their expertise in energy, commodities, climate, technology, finance, and regulatory analysis. NCV's mission centers on the belief that a new industrial renaissance is underway where emerging technologies can transform our environmental impact without requiring lifestyle changes. They partner with entrepreneurs to navigate early stages of company development by providing operational guidance, investment expertise, team-building support, and mentoring, while connecting founders to their global network of investors, startups, and corporations. The firm plays a crucial role in the climate technology ecosystem by empowering entrepreneurs to turn visions into commercially successful companies that drive a cleaner, greener future. NCV is committed to sustainable best practices and integrates sustainability as the baseline for their investment thesis, positioning themselves as leaders in supporting technologies that achieve both commercial success and environmental impact.

Next Billion Capital Partners is a private equity firm investing in transformative growth across global emerging markets, with a focus on sectors where mobile-first models are reshaping industries. Led by former IFC professionals with over a decade of working together, the firm combines institutional rigor with deep market knowledge to build enduring value. The firm backs growth-stage companies in financial services, insurance, and healthcare that serve consumers and small to mid-sized businesses driving economic expansion. With $200M+ invested across 40 companies in 15 countries and 10 exits, Next Billion Capital partners with market leaders in regions where digital adoption is redefining everyday services—from banking and credit to insurance and primary care.

NextLadder Ventures is a time-bound initiative investing in transformative navigation technology (NavTech) so more Americans can reclaim their path to progress. Backed by Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, John Overdeck, Stand Together, and Valhalla Foundation, NextLadder blends philanthropic and market capital to expand access to people-centered, tech-enabled solutions that help families overcome barriers to economic mobility. Over the next 15 years, the venture aims to empower millions of Americans to reach their potential by 2040.