Impact Investing (Online)

Seize sustainable investing opportunities in dynamic markets

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

July 31, 2024

Course Duration

DURATION

6 weeks, online
4-6 hours per week

Course Fee
Course Fee

For Your Team

Enroll your team and learn with your peers

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Impact Investing Reaches a Tipping Point

Sustainable and impact investing is attracting enough capital to start having a meaningful impact on the world’s most pressing problems. Globally, more than $22.8 trillion is invested sustainably, representing more than one dollar for every four dollars under professional management. The rapid pace of recent growth has been driven by a fundamental shift in how investors and asset owners view environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

As the fastest growing segment of sustainable investing, impact investing is a strategy that modern investors, financial advisors, and money managers need to be well versed in, especially as a new generation of investors clamor for it.

This six-week online program is designed and taught by Bhakti Mirchandani, who teaches an award-winning impact finance course for Columbia’s Masters in Sustainability Management program and has authored more than 90 articles on sustainable and impact investing.

84%

of individual investors say they’re interested in using their investing dollars to affect social and environmental change.

Source: Morgan Stanley’s 2018 Sustainable Investing Report

79%

of investors agree they would be much more loyal to a financial advisor who actively helps them invest in a way that also has positive impact on the world.

Source: NUVEEN'S 2021 Sixth Annual Responsible Investing Survey

Key Takeaways

By participating in the program, you will:

  • Explore how mainstream financial instruments and financial markets work as the backdrop for devising a sustainable investing strategy
  • Understand the investment value chain, from asset owners and asset managers to organizations, using application exercises and case studies to illustrate these three vantage points
  • Discover how successful impact investors measure social and environmental impact and use it to guide investment decisions
  • Examine seven approaches to sustainable and impact investing:
    • Private equity in frontier markets
    • Environment, social, and governance (ESG) integration
    • Mission-related investments
    • Social impact bonds
    • Green bonds
    • Crowdfunding
    • Investment stewardship

Who Should Attend?

  • Institutional investors and family office professionals who need to upskill in this increasingly important investment segment, justify impact investing, and respond to stakeholder demand
  • Venture capitalists, angel investors, and high net worth individuals who want to advance their mission of making a positive impact with their investment dollars, gaining the quantitative and qualitative skills required to make a measurable impact
  • Financial advisors and consultants who want to provide intelligent impact investing solutions for modern investors, including millennials and Gen Zers, who are more motivated to invest in assets that align with their personal values
Prerequisites: Some knowledge of financial markets and instruments such as equities, bonds, and CDOs is required.

Program Modules

Module 1:

Introduction to Impact Investing

Define impact investing, review foundational concepts related to the field of investing, and reflect on the early years of program-related investments and microfinance capital markets transactions.

Module 2:

Measuring Impact

Define the first link in the investment asset chain — the asset owners — and examine three different frameworks for impact measurement.

Module 3:

Fixed Income Impact Investing

Explore how materiality varies across the capital structure, delve into sustainability for a range of fixed income strategies, and integrate ESG into fixed income pricing.

Module 4:

Public Equity Impact Investing

Designed to democratize impact investing, public equities broaden access to sustainable investing opportunities beyond institutional investors and high net worth individuals.

Module 5:

Private Equity Impact Investing

Examine private equity fund economics and life cycles, the United States government’s use of private equity for economic statecraft, and how to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in investment portfolios.

Module 6:

Innovative Finance for Impact Investing

Explore innovative concepts that include microfinance securitization, social impact bonds, recidivism, and sustainability-linked loans and bonds. The module concludes with participants presenting a final project on social engagement.

Module 1:

Introduction to Impact Investing

Define impact investing, review foundational concepts related to the field of investing, and reflect on the early years of program-related investments and microfinance capital markets transactions.

Module 4:

Public Equity Impact Investing

Designed to democratize impact investing, public equities broaden access to sustainable investing opportunities beyond institutional investors and high net worth individuals.

Module 2:

Measuring Impact

Define the first link in the investment asset chain — the asset owners — and examine three different frameworks for impact measurement.

Module 5:

Private Equity Impact Investing

Examine private equity fund economics and life cycles, the United States government’s use of private equity for economic statecraft, and how to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in investment portfolios.

Module 3:

Fixed Income Impact Investing

Explore how materiality varies across the capital structure, delve into sustainability for a range of fixed income strategies, and integrate ESG into fixed income pricing.

Module 6:

Innovative Finance for Impact Investing

Explore innovative concepts that include microfinance securitization, social impact bonds, recidivism, and sustainability-linked loans and bonds. The module concludes with participants presenting a final project on social engagement.

Program Experience

World-Renowned Faculty

Learn from accomplished faculty, and industry experts whose diverse backgrounds encompass a broad range of disciplines

Capstone Project

Engage in a multifaceted experience where you apply program learnings to a real-world case

Peer Interaction

Stimulating discussions with like-minded global peers expand your professional network and build a supportive community

Case Studies

Through exploratory sessions, examine practical examples and find innovative solutions to strategic challenges

Live Faculty Sessions

Get actionable insights in live online interactions with faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields

Engaging Assignments and Activities

Hone business acumen and executive skills with try-it activities that help you redefine your potential

Case Studies

Decorative image relating to Ford Foundation

Ford Foundation

Dating back to 1936, when Edsel Ford established the foundation with an initial gift of $25,000, Ford pioneered program-related investments (PRIs) that support charitable activities.

Decorative image relating to BlueOrchard Finance

BlueOrchard Finance

The aim of BlueOrchard is to create more inclusivity and participation in financial markets by connecting microfinance to capital markets.

Decorative image relating to F.B. Heron Foundation

F.B. Heron Foundation

Aligning its mission with its investments, the F.B. Heron Foundation helps disadvantaged families build wealth through home ownership and housing security.

Decorative image relating to Tunisian American Enterprise Fund (TAEF)

Tunisian American Enterprise Fund (TAEF)

Commencing in 2014, TAEF is funded by a USAID grant with dual goals of promoting development of Tunisia’s private sector and financial stability.

Decorative image relating to MacArthur Foundation

MacArthur Foundation

The foundation advances the practice of impact investing by sharing a framework for mission-related investment governance and guidance on how to develop investment policy statements to reflect that governance.

Hands-On Activities

Through a wide range of activities, you will leverage the same tools and frameworks used by successful impact investors, yielding highly practical skills with immediate impact.

  • Evaluate a portfolio’s level of risk using the Sharpe ratio
  • Calculate valuation based on discounted cash flow
  • Identify a portfolio that aligns with a chosen investment strategy
  • Discuss the four success factors related to social impact bond success
  • Apply the operating principles for impact management to an investment project
  • Identify ways that microfinance facilitates financial inclusion

Program Faculty

Image related to BHAKTI MIRCHANDANI

BHAKTI MIRCHANDANI

Managing Director, Responsible Investing, Trinity Church Wall Street and Co-Founder, IADEI

Bhakti Mirchandani teaches an award-winning impact finance course, which she pioneered in Columbia’s Masters in Sustainability Management program (award issued by the Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium and the Financial Times)... More info

Certificate

Example image of certificate that will be awarded after successful completion of this program

Certificate

Upon completion of the Impact Investing (Online) program, you will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education. This certificate also awards two credits towards the Certificate in Business Excellence, which grants select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn More

Download Brochure

Your digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.

FAQs

  • How do I know if this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

    Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.


    What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please connect with us via email for assistance.


    Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

    Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

  • What is the program refund and deferral policy?

    For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 315 387 4431 (US) / +44 203 838 0836 (UK) / +65 3138 4449 (SG)

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Flexible payment options available. Learn more.