Home
About Us
The Labor Department has rolled back a rule brought in under President Trump to make it easier for employers to include impact investment funds in their retirement plans.
The Trump-era rule, which was set to go into effect in January, required employers to adhere to a "fiduciary duty" when choosing investments for 401(k)s and other retirement plans.
Under the Biden administration rule, which was also set to go into effect in January, employers are no longer required to consider ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors when choosing investments, MarketWatch reports.
ESG funds invest in companies that make social or political decisions that have a positive impact on the world's economy.
The Trump-era rule was seen as an attempt to chill ESG investing, and it appears to have worked, with anecdotal reports suggesting that employers avoided ESG funds in their 401(k)s and related plans to avoid drawing investigations from the Trump Department of Labor.
ESG funds actually tended to outperform the market at large in 2020, and professional investors noted in public comments that in 2020, approximately 96% of all public comments opposed this change to the fiduciary duty requirement, potentially harming an employer's ability to recruit younger talent, but which also may have been the better investment at the time."
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
"World Calls on China to Lead": Urgent Climate Demands Escalate Ahead of Pivotal Global Sustainability Transition Conference.China is positioned to lead global climate action with its dominance in...more
Report outlines four high-impact intervention areas from education and prevention to surveillance and treatment to guide funders and partners.AMR could cost Asia up to US$700 billion by 2050 and...more
The McGregor Lakes Area Foundation (MLAF) continues to make a meaningful impact by investing in the people and programs that strengthen the region.MLAF is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in...more
Leuven's Pilot City Activity aims to decarbonise heating in the city.The new heating systems will rely on green heating technologies that minimise environmental impact by reducing fossil fuel...more
National Planning Secretary Koney Samuel says the government must focus on high impact investments to transform the economy in the next five to 10 years.Mr Samuel said the country cannot afford to...more
ABC Impact, the Asia-focused impact investment firm, has successfully completed the final closing of its second fund at over USD 600 million.ADB's investment in ABC Impact Fund II reflects our...more
Game-changing heart health innovations pitched live at inaugural Catalyst Partnership Grants Showcase.The two-day event, held at the Grand Hyatt on 25 26 March, brought together more than 300 people...more
'Crucial for climate impact': Ag startups from APAC sought for new accelerator programme.Ten founders will be selected, with the programme culminating in a demo day on Thursday, November 6 in...more
ABC Impact's 2024 Impact Review highlights the firm's continued growth and strategic focus across sectors vital to Asia's sustainable development.The firm remains committed to deploying capital into...more
Impact in listed equities can deliver competitive returns, report says.Report by Schroders and the Said Business School.Findings challenge the assumption that purpose-driven investing requires...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.
