Impact investing has become an increasingly popular concept in recent years. As more investors look to generate social and environmental impact alongside financial returns, the demand for educational resources on impact investing has grown. This article provides an overview of some of the most insightful and influential books on impact investing and social finance. From introductory primers toadvanced analyses, these books offer valuable knowledge on the emerging impact investing industry. Covering topics like impact measurement, portfolio construction, case studies and more, these books provide a comprehensive look at the players, trends and best practices shaping impact investing today. Whether you’re a newcomer looking to learn the basics or a seasoned practitioner seeking new perspectives, this list has essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the world of impact investing.
The foundation books that explain the core concepts of impact investing
Some of the foundational books that clearly explain the basics of impact investing include:
– Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference by Antony Bugg-Levine and Jed Emerson. This book outlines the rationale for impact investing and shows how it differs from traditional practices.
– The Power of Impact Investing: Putting Markets to Work for Profit and Global Good by Judith Rodin and Margot Brandenburg. This explores how impact investing can address global problems that governments and philanthropy alone cannot solve.
– Real Impact: The New Economics of Social Change by Morgan Simon. This examines impact investing through the lens of justice, equity and structural change.
– Impact Investment: A Practical Guide to Investment Process and Social Impact Analysis by Christoph Kronenberg and Roland Dominice. This provides a step-by-step overview of executing successful impact investing deals.
The books showcasing impact investing in action through case studies
Some of the most illuminating books use concrete examples and case studies to showcase impact investing in practice:
– Impact Investments: A How-to Guide for Investors, Management, Advisors and Policymakers by Christoph Krummaker, Torsten Seidel and Anneke Sontag. This features 60+ case studies across sectors and geographies.
– The ImpactAssets Handbook for Investors: Generating Social and Environmental Value through Capital Investing by Jed Emerson. This profiles over 20 pioneering impact investors and their portfolios.
– Investing for Impact: Case Studies Across Asset Classes edited by Bridges Impact+. This compiles case studies on impact investing deals across asset classes.
– The Impact Investor: Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalism by Cathy Clark, Jed Emerson and Ben Thornley. This shares lessons from over 20 impact investing pioneers.
The advanced books providing frameworks for impact measurement and analysis
Some of the more advanced impact investing books focus on impact measurement, analysis and portfolio construction:
– The End of Accounting and the Path Forward for Investors and Managers by Fiona Reynolds, Eugenie Mathieu and Jeremy Nicholls. This proposes an integrated framework for measuring impact across asset classes.
– Impact Investment: The Invisible Heart of Markets edited by Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen, Anna Kanze and Conor Riggs. This collects methods for impact assessment and management developed at leading business schools.
– Financing the Sustainable Development Goals: Impact Investing in Action edited by Judith Rodin and Margot Brandenburg. This links the SDGs to concrete impact investing opportunities across sectors.
– The Impact Investor’s Handbook: How to Create Lasting Wealth through Impact Investing by Stefano Negri. This offers frameworks for developing an impact investing portfolio and measuring returns.
The recent books capturing the latest trends in impact investing
Some of the latest books provide timely perspectives on where impact investing is headed:
– New Frontiers of Philanthropy: A Guide to the New Tools and Actors Reshaping Global Philanthropy and Social Investing by Lester M. Salamon. This examines how philanthropy is adopting impact investing approaches.
– Impact Investment Funds for Frontier Markets in Southeast Asia by Christoph Kronenberg. This focuses on the rise of impact investing in emerging Asian markets.
– Bridging the Gap: Inclusive Business, Impact Investors and Development Finance Institutions edited by Inclusive Business Action Network. This explores partnerships between investors and development institutions.
– The SDG Investment Case edited by UNDP, UNCDF and SDG Impact. This makes the case for increasing private investment aligned with the UN’s SDGs.
This overview covers some of the most insightful books for gaining an in-depth understanding of the emerging world of impact investing across concepts, applications and trends. By providing frameworks, case studies, sector analyses and more, these books equip readers with the knowledge to participate in the growing impact investing industry. Whether just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, these are the go-to guidebooks for learning the landscape of impact investing.