(Bloomberg) — A decision by Japan’s $1.8 trillion pension fund, the world’s biggest, to consider a shift into impact investing has triggered a wider adjustment among the country’s money managers. The Government Pension Investment Fund opened the door to impact strategies in March and at least four other Japanese pension funds are updating or revising their investment policies, according to a review of the funds’ investment policies. At the same time, there’s evidence that asset managers pitching for pensi ...

I have a dream. These were the iconic words of the civil right activist Martin Luther King in where he shared his dream of a world which said no to racial discrimination. Very humbly I would say I too have a dream but I have a dream of a beautiful world.A world that is transformed from concrete jungles to dream cities. A world that is built on three pillars. Profit, people, and the planet.So the first question any of you all may be asking is how does this affect me. Why does it matter. Now I recognize most ...

Problem Statement & Financial Analysis - The cost of inaction on climate change is estimated to exceed $1.3 quadrillion (1,266 trillion dollars) by 2100, which is 10 times global GDP [4] - In Germany, there is a 30 billion euro gap of philanthropic potential [16] - Foundations in Germany, with endowments between 100 and 200 billion euro, give away only about 1% annually [13][14] - Mobilizing 1% of income or wealth in Germany could generate 100 billion euro per year, a ten-fold increase over current giving levels [23] Wealth Management & Philanthropy - A significant portion of wealth in developed economies is inherited, often with family expectations to preserve it for future generations [7] - Financial gatekeepers (bankers, tax advisors, family officers) are incentivized to protect and grow wealth, not necessarily to invest it for social good or facilitate giving [9] - Legal instruments like trusts and foundations, while originally intended for protection and preservation, have become part of a global wealth defense industry, locking up money with tax privileges and secrecy [12][13] - Traditional foundations often invest in harmful industries due to low-risk, market-return investment strategies [14] Solutions & Future Trends - Modern giving can be revolutionized by using the internet to reduce costs, replace gatekeepers, and allow broader participation [20] - Digital foundations can enable anyone to start one with any amount of money, facilitating strategic giving, impact investing, and fundraising [21] - Shifting from a blame game to a model where everyone can be a philanthropist, impact investor, or influencer is crucial [25] - Encouraging individuals to give just 1% of their income or wealth can create significant positive change [22]