Jacqueline Novogratz: Inspiring a life of Immersion

February 19, 2011 by Gail
Filed under VidStyle

We each want to live a life of purpose, but where to start? In this luminous, wide-ranging talk, Jacqueline Novogratz introduces us to people she’s met in her work in ‘patient capital’, people who have immersed themselves in a Cause, a Community, a passion for justice. These human stories carry powerful moments of inspiration.

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ABOUT Jacqueline Novogratz

Jacqueline is one of the most innovative players shaping philanthropy today, she is redefining the way problems of poverty can be solved around the world.

Drawing on her past experience in banking, microfinance and traditional philanthropy, she has become a leading proponent for financing entrepreneurs and enterprises that can bring affordable clean water, housing and healthcare to poor people so that they no longer have to depend on the disappointing results and lack of accountability seen in traditional charity and old-fashioned aid.

The Acumen Fund, which she founded in 2001, has an ambitious plan: to create a blueprint for alleviating poverty using market-oriented approaches. Indeed, Acumen has more in common with a venture capital fund than a typical Non Profit.

Rather than handing out grants, Acumen invests in fledgling companies and organisations that bring critical, often life-altering products and services to the world’s poor. Like VCs, Acumen offers not just money, but also infrastructure and management expertise. From drip-irrigation systems in India to malaria-preventing bed nets in Tanzania to a low-cost mortgage programme in Pakistan.

Acumen’s portfolio offers important case studies for entrepreneurial efforts aimed at the vastly underserved market of those making less than $4/day. It’s a fascinating model that’s shaken up philanthropy and investment communities alike. Acumen Fund manages more than $20 million in investments aimed at serving the poor. And most of their projects deliver stunning, inspiring results.

Their success can be traced back to Jacqueline herself, who possesses that rarest combination of business savvy and cultural sensitivity. In addition to seeking out sound business models, she places great importance on identifying solutions from within communities rather than imposing them from the outside. “People don’t want handouts,” They want to make their own decisions, to solve their own problems” she said.

In her book, The Blue Sweater, she tells stories from the new philanthropy, which emphasises sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid. Acumen Fund is a not-for-profit group (but not a charity) that is supported by investors (not donors) who want a good ‘social return’ on their capital.”

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