Social Finance

Social Finance is a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing private capital to address pressing social and environmental challenges. The firm partners with public, private, and social sectors to develop innovative partnerships and investments that aim to measurably improve lives and expand opportunity. They are known for pioneering innovative financial instruments such as Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) and Pay for Success (PFS) contracts, which fund effective social programs through performance-based agreements, ensuring accountability for results.

Founded in Boston in 2011 by Tracy Palandjian, Sir Ronald Cohen, and David Blood, Social Finance US was modeled after Social Finance UK. The founders sought to bring the concept of social impact bonds to the U.S. market, leveraging private investment to achieve philanthropic outcomes. Since its inception, the firm has mobilized over $500 million in new investments, focusing on areas such as workforce and economic mobility, health, and housing. They operate with a mission to bridge the gap between traditional business and charity by creating profitable yet socially beneficial investment opportunities.

Social Finance's work encompasses several key areas, including Impact Investments, Workforce & Education Investments, Public Sector Solutions, and the Social Finance Institute. Through these initiatives, they manage impact-first investments, design outcomes-based education and training pathways, and assist governments in maximizing the impact of tax dollars. Notable projects include the Google Career Certificates Fund, which aims to generate significant wage gains for learners, and various programs addressing childhood health, economic advancement, and re-entry into society. The firm also manages the Impact First Fund, which invests in early-stage funds and enterprises focused on generating positive social and environmental impact.

The leadership team at Social Finance includes CEO & Co-Founder Tracy Palandjian and President & COO Kirstin Hill, alongside a diverse group of managing directors and vice presidents specializing in impact investments, impact advisory, and the Social Finance Institute. The team's expertise spans impact advisory, impact investing, operations, and public sector solutions, enabling the firm to work across various issue areas such as children & families, education, health, homelessness & housing, public safety & reentry, and workforce & economic mobility.