Nonprofits as impact investors: Aligning our finances with our mission
In a new op-ed in Boston Business Journal, BII CEO Betty Francisco and Eric Leslie, founder and lead organizer of Union Capital Boston, discuss how investing in an impact fund that is aligned with a nonprofit’s mission, as UCB did with BII, can be a way to enhance its impact while achieving financial returns to support other programs.
BII Receives a BostInno 2023 Fire Award
Multiple BII Portfolio Companies were recognized for raising investment interest and funds, launching new products, bringing in new customers, growing their Boston footprint and supporting the local community and innovation ecosystem.
A Study of the CDFI and CDC Ecosystem in Massachusetts
BII contributed to a community capital for small business report .
Trapped in the Status Quo
BII CEO Betty Francisco was quoted in a BBJ review of 46 of Massachusetts' largest corporate charitable foundations, which found that while most are led by women, the companies themselves are overwhelmingly headed by men.
Boston Impact Initiative raises $22 million to invest in New England’s small businesses
This ImpactAlpha article recaps how BII surpassed its $20 million target during its second funding to invest in New England based small businesses and real estate projects.
Mass. Women of Color Coalition marks 10 years, urges civic participation
This Worcester Magazine article recaps MAWOCC's Annual Meeting and Celebration, which was held on January 25, 2025. CEO Betty Francisco served as the event's Keynote Speaker.
From Impact Investing to “Impact-First” Investing—What Is the Field Learning?
By Steve│Nonprofit Quarterly What does impact investing—that is, investing with social benefit in mind—demand of investors? Many in the field have long […]
Investors of color face obstacles as they fund new businesses, report says
This Boston Globe article covers the release of BII's State of the Cohort report on December 18, 2024. It was produced by the Globe’s Money, Power, Inequality team.
The business of small business
This story on the Nonprofit Finance Fund website profiles the Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE), and quotes BII CEO Betty Francisco, one of CEE's founders.
How to hack the finance system for regenerative returns
Jasper van Brakel, president and CEO of RSF, interviewed BII CEO Betty Francisco and Mark Lewis, managing partner at Trailhead Capital, on how they're working to create a regenerative economy.
Boston Impact Initiative Fund Manager Cohort Recap
Cate Fox, Program Director with AmbitioUS, an initiative of the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), shared her thoughts on attending BII's National Fund Manager Cohort Convening in November 2024.