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- Social Private Equity for-profit, small company privately held, with positive social and/or environmental impact This entity is defined as a for-profit whose product or service has a positive social impact. Its social benefit is not an add-on to its central operations and does not detract from its profitability - the more business it does, the more social impact it has. (i.e.: companies developing affordable health technologies, environmental alternatives in the areas of energy, pesticides or household products, and companies that provide underserved communities or non-profits with their products or services, such as Foothold Technology, City Soft, Energia Global, and Wild Planet Toys.) Risk of meeting expectations is "high" since these organizations are totally dependent on customers paying them and must continuously market successfully against competitors. Also, management is not as experienced. This is the area in which Conscious Capital will concentrate its efforts.
- Community Development - Economic Development Enterprise These are for-profit companies that create economic development opportunities, such as hiring difficult-to-employ or under-employed populations, or revitalizing communities where economic development needs fortification. These enterprises can range widely in scale and industry, and their business operations may have little social impact. (i.e.: Projects that are funded through affordable loans from Community Development Financial Institutions.) Risk of meeting expectations is "medium" since these organizations are based on real estate and/or job training, and they are also being subsidized.
- Negative Screen - large public companies These companies are involved in heavily polluting industries, tobacco, gaming, or nuclear energy. The screen is "negative" due to investors avoiding these stocks because of their activities (for instance, R.J. Reynolds, Lockheed-Martin.) Risk of meeting expectations is "medium" since these organizations are organized and managed by professionals to meet these objectives.
- Positive Screen - large public companies These for profit companies are making a pro-active effort to ameliorate negative impacts from their operations or create positive impacts in areas such as the environment, education, or community involvement. In areas such as purchasing, hiring, waste management, community involvement, corporate philanthropy, etc, these companies are demonstrating how corporations can also be good citizens. The screen is "positive" due to investors being attracted to these stocks because of their activities. (i.e.: Ben and Jerry's) Risk of meeting expectations is "medium" since these organizations are organized and managed by professionals to meet these objectives.
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