Haverford MI3: Microfinance and Impact Investing Initiative

Rooted in the Haverford tradition of embedding in its curricula a strong, ethical commitment to a just world, MI3 engages students in exploring the use of financial and human capital to address social problems. Housed within the economics department but strongly cross-disciplinary, MI3 leads students to critically assess and respond to such challenges as poverty, environmental risk, and good governance while balancing social and financial goals. Through workshops, special projects, guided research, interaction with guest speakers and engagement with organizations in the field, MI3 presents students co-curricular opportunities to learn and take action to address key social challenges of our world.

Microfinance

Microfinance is the provision of financial products to people in poverty. While the industry was launched by innovations in microcredit with very small loans targeted at microentrepreneurs, microfinance also includes savings products, insurance, payments systems, “consumer” loans and other financial products and services.

Impact Investing

Impact Investing is one of three modes of socially responsible investing.¹ It involves making investments in firms or non-profits that are expected to earn a positive financial return and generate social benefits. It is sometimes referred to as blended investmenting or investing for a double bottom line.

U.S. Poverty, Microentrepreneurs and Microfinance: Needs, Responses and Prospects.

A Symposium for Practitioners, Policymakers, Researchers and Students

Thursday, 28 March (registration 2:00pm)
Friday, 29 March (2:30pm close)

This symposium seeks to bring together practitioners, policymakers and academics to look across the often "siloed" parts of the sector to assess both current and prospective access to finance among both households in poverty and microentrepreneurs .

Event Resources

Event Details

Stokes Auditorium
Haverford College
Haverford, PA
Campus‌ Map

Thursday, 28 March (registration 2:00pm)
Friday, 29 March (2:30pm close)

Event Details and Register

The other two forms are 1) positive/negative stock selection in a portfolio and 2) shareholder activism. Negative stock selection is a portfolio with an investment strategy to exclude certain types of firms. An example is the many decision by many investors in the 1980’s to adopt policies to not hold stock in firms with operations in South Africa where apartheid was being practiced. Positive stock selection may involve an investment policy to buy shares in alternative energy companies, or restaurant chains that practice environmental sustainability. Shareholder activism may take the form of purchasing stock in firms with policies with which the investor disagrees. Holding stock in the firm allows the investor to participate in shareholder resolutions and work to change the policies of the firm from within using its governance procedures.

MI3

610-896-4945
smudd@haverford.edu

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Microfinance & Impact Investing Initiative