by Debra Schwartz Managing Director, MacArthur Foundation 

Often, the most compelling impact investments are made, not found.

I have used that phrase over the years to describe how foundations and other impact-focused investors use “catalytic capital” to support social and environmental progress. These patient, flexible, “catalytic” investments are able to take on more risk and/or accept a lower return than commercial capital in order to finance gains that would not otherwise be possible.