The globalislocal Fund is an educational and funding partnership that invests philanthropic capital in solutions to the root causes of poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
I joined the partnership in September of 2010. I found out about it after reading a publication produced by Atlantic Philanthropies about “Giving While Living.” The publication profiled individuals who put philanthropy into practice in their everyday lives. One person profiled was Liz Ellers, the Founder and Managing Partner of The globalislocal Fund.
When I read that Liz was local to Philadelphia, I called her up and we talked through the model she has created for the partnership. I joined as a Partner shortly after.
The model is a hands-on, high-touch experience. The world is brought ‘into the room’ through the presentations of invited social innovators from across the globe. Typically this happens during luncheon meetings several times throughout the Program Year (September – May). In May, at the Annual Impact & Investment meeting, Partners decide together which investments will be added to the portfolio. It is a combination of grants and loans.
You can also check out the website: www.globalislocal.org