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Press Release - RSF Social Finance

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RSF Social Finance

ABOUT RSF Social Finance

RSF is a pioneering nonprofit financial services organization dedicated to using the tools of business to bring about positive, real-world change. Our goal is not just to make money available to progressive and innovative projects; its to fundamentally change the way the world works with money.Founded in 1936 as the Rudolf Steiner Foundation, RSF Social Finance began making loans to Steiner-inspired organizations in 1984. In the late 1990s, RSFs mission expanded to serve a broader range of clients whose intentions and values are compatible with Steiners insights on associative economics and social renewal.Since 1984, RSF has made over $200 million in loans and over $90 million in grants, placing us in the top tier of social finance organizations worldwide. For 25 years, we have consistently provided a positive return on investment for our clients.Today, RSF offers investing, lending, and giving services to individuals and enterprises committed to improving society and the environment. We currently have over one thousand clients who are creating enormous positive impact by helping us redirect the flow of money from global capital markets to local ones.Together, were creating a shift from financial transactions that are complex, opaque, and anonymous to those that are direct, transparent, and personal. Every decision we make is based on long-term relationships, not short-term outcomes.Inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner, we believe that money has a deeply spiritual dimension. In our view, money is a form of energy that connects one person to another and strengthens the bonds of community. Our innovative financial products not only meet the constantly shifting needs of the market, but also encourage meaningful and direct relationships among investors and social entrepreneurs, donors and grantees.

RSF’s February Grant-Making Activity

Mar 15, 2010 10:31 AM CDT

(Justmeans.com / CSR News) -

Students at the Chengdu Waldorf School (RSF grantee) in China

RSF’s Donor Advised Funds are innovative financial vehicles that allow an individual, group, family, corporation, trust, or foundation to help fund charitable organizations that align with their values. After a tax-deductible contribution to RSF, the donor advisor can then recommend grants out of his or her fund to qualified non-profit organizations. Once the contribution has been made to RSF, we invest the money through our Impact Investing Portfolios, which ensure deep impact and strong mission-alignment with our core social and environmental missions.  The following organizations received $267,337.88 in grant funding from our Donor Advised Funds in the month of February:

Food and Agriculture

Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association
Institute for Policy Studies
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Navdanya

Education and the Arts

Austin Eurythmy Ensemble
Center for Anthroposophy
Center for the Arts, Religion and Education
Charter Foundation
Chengdu Waldorf School
Children of Nepal
Colin Young/Russian American Educational Exchange
Grameen Shikkha
Green America
Proxy Democracy
READ Global
Rudolf Steiner College
ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation
Sunbridge College
Triskeles Foundation

Social Finance

Vermont Sustainable Exchange

Other

Partners in Health (Haiti relief)

By Caitlyn Kowalczyk

Caitlyn Kowalczyk is Program Assistant for Philanthropic Services at RSF Social Finance.