R.I.S.E. & Shine!

It's another great day to learn about investing for impact!

Happy Saturday ladies,

We may or may not have been saving the best for last…. the last newsletter of 2023 that is! Over the last few months we have covered a wide range of topics in impact investing, from making an impact through real estate to building a passive income.

As we head into the new year, our hope at RISE The Movement is that you feel better prepared to make your first, or next, impact investment in 2024. That’s why this week we are helping you pick your perfect impact investment that aligns with your vision, lifestyle, and goals.

Hint: Keep scrolling for a full list of impact investing options.

From the team here at RISE, we wish you and your family a happy holiday season. Thank you for being a part of the RISE The Movement community this year, see you in 2024!

4 Questions That Will Help You Pick Your Perfect Impact Investment

What is your vision?

What life do you envision living with your successful investments? Do you want a steady passive income, are you saving up to buy your dream house, or are you looking to secure a future for your children and grandchildren? Your vision defines your investment journey, so make sure it gets the spotlight it deserves.

How much effort can you put in?

Before you pick an investment you have to decide how much time and energy you are able to give. Do you want a hands off investment that is handled by a manager? Or are you ready to jump in and get your hands dirty? There are great options available no matter how busy you are!

What are your goals?

While your vision is the life you picture at the end of this journey, your goals are the milestones you will pass on the way to your success. Ask yourself, when do you need to achieve this vision?

Who is on your team?

The final question to ask yourself before deciding which impact investment is right for you is; who do you need to tell? Maybe it's your CPA, a financial planner, or maybe it's your spouse. Whoever it is, you're going to need a solid support system on board with your vision and goals.

JOIN THE R.I.S.E. THE MOVEMENT COMMUNITY FOR FREE!

When you sign up to become a member of R.I.S.E. The Movement, you gain access to dozens of educational tools including courses, blogs, live and virtual events, insights from expert investors, and a community of women investors just like you ready to support and encourage you along your investment journey!

15 Types Of Impact Investments To Consider

1. Green Real Estate: Invest in properties that are environmentally sustainable or contribute to urban revitalization.

2. Clean Energy Projects: Put money into wind, solar, or other renewable energy projects that reduce carbon emissions.

3. Sustainable Agriculture: Support organic farming operations or agroforestry ventures that promote ecological balance.

4. Microfinance: Provide capital to microfinance institutions that offer loans to entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

5. Social Impact Bonds: Engage in bonds where the return is linked to the achievement of social outcomes.

6. Community Investment Funds: Participate in funds that focus on developing local communities through various initiatives.

7. Affordable Housing: Fund development projects that increase the availability of affordable housing.

8. Education Technology: Back tech startups that are innovating in the educational space to improve access and quality of education.

9. Healthcare Innovation: Invest in healthcare solutions that aim to make health services more accessible and affordable.

10. Social Enterprise Equity: Take an equity stake in businesses with a core mandate to address social issues.

11. Impact Venture Capital: Provide seed capital to startups with a strong social or environmental mission.

12. Water & Sanitation Projects: Fund initiatives that ensure clean water and improve sanitation in vulnerable regions.

13. Conservation Finance: Support efforts to conserve natural resources and biodiversity.

14. Socially Responsible Startups: Invest in early-stage companies with responsible business practices.

15. Diversity and Inclusion Funds: Channel capital into funds that invest in minority or women-led businesses or those that foster workplace diversity.

SUPERWOMAN SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Fonstad is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur known for her significant contributions to the technology and startup ecosystem. She is the co-founder of Aspect Ventures, an all-female venture capital firm, alongside investor Theresia Gouw, whom she met while working at Bain & Company early in their careers.

Some of the notable companies that Aspect Ventures has invested in include Cato Networks, ForeScout, The Muse, and Crew. Following her success with Aspect Ventures, Fonstad founded Owl Capital Group, focusing on early-stage investments in startups such as Owlet, Vida Health, Stem.io, among others.

Jennifer has received recognition for her achievements, being named one of "The 50 Most Powerful Moms" by Working Mother and awarded Venture Capitalist of the Year in 2017 by Deloitte. She has expressed that, of all the roles she has undertaken, her favorite by far is being a mother to her four children.

FINANCE IN THE NEWS

This Week At a Glance

• The stock market experienced its highest level of 2023 last week, with the S&P and Dow both experiencing gains for six weeks in a row for the first time in 4 years. 

• It’s a bad month to be founder of a startup, as some of the biggest names are collapsing, including: SmileDirectClub, WeWork, Hopin, and e-scooter company Bird. According to the New York Times, more than 3,200 private-venture backed startups have gone out of business in 2023.  

• In its final meeting of 2023, the Federal Reserve has decided not to change interest rates, keeping the target range for the federal-funds rate at 5.25-5.50%. 

• New data shows that more and more Americans are taking loans from their 401(k) accounts, with 17.6% of 401(k) holders having an outstanding loan, according to Fidelity. 

Women Are Still Fighting For Equity In The World Of Venture Capital

Carta has released its annual report on the state of equity in the venture capital world. The past year's challenges, such as rising interest rates and reduced venture capital, disproportionately affected women and founders of color.

So, what were the findings?

• The percentage of women founders declined in 2023.

• The percentage of non-white hires in 2023 fell 25% from previous years. 

• While women hires and equity are rising, men continue to hold over 60% of the equity.

• Women are least represented in data and engineering.

• Women continue to be less represented among executives.

To increase equity ownership, the report suggests women become female founders, retain majority equity, and join early or as co-founders to maximize access to equity.

We will be back in January!

Want more of RISE The Movement in the meantime? Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, or book a call to get involved!

@risethemovement

www.risethemovement.com

Regardless of whether you are scared to take the first step or you are ready to dive right in, there's an Investment strategy perfectly suited for you.

At R.I.S.E we are committed to guiding and supporting women investors at every stage of their investment journey. We believe the key to success lies in education, informed decision-making, and using our investments to make an impact.

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