The latest edition of the Giving Thoughts Series, entitled “Making Sense of Social Impact Bonds for Companies,” is now available to download for free. In this piece, I look at the market for social impact bonds and consider the role that corporate philanthropy or corporate social investing might play in the model. Two case studies present corporate efforts already underway to lead explorations into SIBs for unique social issues that directly affect the business.

Introduction from “Making Sense of Social Impact Bonds for Companies”

Social impact bonds (SIBs)—also known as pay-for-success contracts—have emerged as a financing mechanism that brings to the government and nonprofit sectors the performance incentives and monitoring standards of private enterprise. In SIB projects, governments and other social welfare payers raise capital from the private sector for nonprofit-led social interventions, by offering the possibility of a financial return, as well as social impact.  This Giving Thoughts article describes SIBs, highlights challenges and opportunities, and considers the role corporate social investing might play.