Can money buy you happiness? I used to buy things all the time, a new dress, a new purse, new toys for my dogs - things that I thought would make me happy. It wasn’t until I started investing my time and money to help other people, that I really felt happy.

More recently I was thinking about where my money sits - where I bank and where I have invested my money in the market. I invest in multiple index funds, but I’m not sure if I’m investing in guns, tobacco, and/or fossil fuels that are contributing to the pollution and climate change of the planet. Fellow toastmasters and honored guests, I'm here to inspire you to consider who or what is impacted by your investments and change the way you invest.

Impact investments are defined as investments that generate both financial returns and social or environmental good. Clean energy, Wildlife Conservation, Sustainable Farming, and Medical Solutions to Chronic Diseases are all examples of impact investments.

Overall, impact investing has seen rampant growth, and that growth is expected to continue. Approximately $50 billion was allocated to impact investing in 2009, and that number grew to $500 billion by 2014, and is expected to grow as high as $1 trillion in 2020.

One of the most compelling stories I heard about was from Global Partnerships, who invests in solar lights to serve families in third world countries like Nicaragua and Africa - where families make less than $3 a day and have no electricity. They were using kerosene lamps which causes health problems, and is costly. The families are able to buy the solar lamps now and the kids are able to do their homework at night and the family can sew at night and sell their garments, adding more money for the family. Their investments have returned interest for 55 quarter cycles and they report no losses to their investors so far.

So what are some of the opposing viewpoints?
It’s best to make as much money as possible first and then be philanthropic later
* The planet has a limited amount of resources - damaging the planet via pollution or ignoring our impact on where we invest our money might mean we won’t have a planet to enjoy our wealth on
* Globally, we only have something like sixty or seventy years of topsoil left. We’ve been degrading it through agriculture for twelve thousand years or so, and we have seventy years left if we keep going at the rate we’re going.

Impact investments are not a proven entity and may cost more or be riskier than other investments.
* It has always been possible to “do good while doing well,” but this is even truer today. Global challenges are global opportunities. Those who provide solutions to today’s problems will be the financial winners of tomorrow. Data from the Global Impact Investing Network shows that the majority of the estimated billions $ impact investment market produces market rate returns.

Just because impact investments claim to be impactful, how can we be sure they are?
* There are respected rating systems GIIRS, IRIS, Pulse and reviews such a B Corporation standards and impact investment firms share their impact measurement analysis. The best list of the top 50 funds is the ImpactAssets 50 list and is updated regularly.

How can you start making an impact with your investments:
* Break up with your big bank. Where is your money spending the night? Is it being invested in fossil fuels, is it being used to destroy local communities or damaging the livelihood of farmers?
* Ask your financial advisor about impact investment fund offerings - and start to research it more.
* Calvert Foundation: Since 1995, more than 13,500 investors have invested $800 million in Calvert Foundation’s portfolio of nonprofits and social enterprises worldwide. Online investments begin as low as $20. Calvert Foundation also offers targeted investing in areas such as small businesses in the Twin Cities, small businesses in Denver, women’s empowerment, microfinance, fair trade, education, and affordable housing.

Money can make you happy. And if you align your investments with your values - you can do good and do well. Make a positive impact with your investments today.