Evidence

Below are links to publications, articles and Sumerian’s contributions, outlining success stories, effective allocations of philanthropic capital and the role of philanthropy. In all cases, the reports have been read by our Partners and are frequently referenced with our clients.

Can impact investing both solve inequality and bring high returns?

Can impact investing both solve inequality and bring high returns?

Chris West September, 2018

Impact Investors Favour Practices Yielding Social and Financial Returns

Impact Investors Favour Practices Yielding Social and Financial Returns

Andrew Jack March, 2018

Why Aren’t Foundations Actually Helping Their Grantees Like VCs?

Why Aren’t Foundations Actually Helping Their Grantees Like VCs?

Gabe Kleinman November, 2017

Marginalized Returns

Marginalized Returns

Mara Bolis & Chris West August, 2017

Impact Investing: Who are we serving?

Impact Investing: Who are we serving?

Sumerian Partners and Oxfam April, 2017

Not fit for purpose: why I’m done with the foundation world

Not fit for purpose: why I’m done with the foundation world

Jake Hayman April, 2015

From the Gates Foundation, Direct Investment, Not Just Grants

From the Gates Foundation, Direct Investment, Not Just Grants

Sarah Max March, 2015

Accelerating Access to Energy

Accelerating Access to Energy

Shell Foundation December, 2014

Scaling up Impact, Forum for the Future

Scaling up Impact, Forum for the Future

Shell Foundation November, 2014

Why business can be good at solving social problems

Why business can be good at solving social problems

Michael Porter June, 2013

Catalytic Philanthropy: Innovating Where Markets Won’t and Governments Can’t

Catalytic Philanthropy: Innovating Where Markets Won’t and Governments Can’t

Bill Gates March, 2014

Venture Philanthropy in Development: Dynamics, Challenges and Lessons in the Search for Greater Impact

Venture Philanthropy in Development: Dynamics, Challenges and Lessons in the Search for Greater Impact

OECD February, 2014

Revolutionizing Philanthropy: Impact Investment

Revolutionizing Philanthropy: Impact Investment

Sir Ronald Cohen January, 2014

Angel Investment: Enterprise Solutions to Scale

Angel Investment: Enterprise Solutions to Scale

Dr Chris West, Brookings Institute January, 2013

Catalytic First-Loss Capital

Catalytic First-Loss Capital

GIIN October, 2013

Priming the Pump: The Case for a Sector Based Approach for Impact Investing

Priming the Pump: The Case for a Sector Based Approach for Impact Investing

Matt Bannick & Paula Goldman September, 2012

From Blueprint to Scale: The Case for Philanthropy in Impact Investing

From Blueprint to Scale: The Case for Philanthropy in Impact Investing

Monitor April, 2012